The year after the war was a year of healing and rebuilding, their loses had been high, much higher then she remembered from the films but then again they didn't really go in to it. Lyra had volunteered to rebuild Hogwarts, she had spent months along with everyone else who volunteered fixing stone, glass, anything that could be fixed they did and everything else was remade.
The wards had been the last thing to go up, almost like a ribbon cutting to a new building, it took multiple groups of curse breakers including Fleur and Bill Weasley. McGonagall had been reinstated as headmistress which made most happy.
Shacklebolt had been made Minister of Magic and he was thriving, the Ministry had been cast off of anyone who was deemed unworthy, anyone who stood by Voldemort and his ideas. Then had come the trials, trials of all the Death Eaters and known associates, the Malfoys had been called.
They were questioned fiercely under veritaserum, memories had been studied including Lyra's, she had been called to the stands and Kingsley got to watch her wipe the floor with everyone there, he'd heard rumors of course about the other two times she had been present in trials but seeing it in person had been a gift. The Ministry was given no other choice but to see the Malfoys as innocent, the two adults had been put under house arrest for a year as punishment for 'housing' Voldemort and Draco would need to go back to back to Hogwarts for his 'seventh' year but other then that they were relatively 'free' to go.
Sirius had kept his word and had the Black family manor done up, they had been moved from Grimmauld Place, Winky had been beside herself flitting from one room from the other. People reached out to the Golden Quartet, businesses, papers, magazines wanting interviews, even offering jobs but they tried to keep their distance.
~~~
Her friends and family finding out she was an Animagus and had been for years was a spectacle, Ron and Harry had demanded her to teach them, Hermione had been hesitant but apparently it needed to be a group thing and was dragged into it. It also meant that she could finally started talking Remus into letting her join them on the full moons, he had been hesitant but after a few months she wore him down.
The grounds to the Black Manor were a lot larger the Grimmauld place meaning they warded off a large part of it for Remus so he wouldn't be locked in a small shack. Instead they used a barn that hadn't been filled yet and they only did so because Remus had made it abundantly clear that while he was 'okay' with her bring there, he didn't want her to see him change.
Meaning Lyra was laid outside on the grass already in her animal form, another condition for her being there. She was waiting when she began to hear whimpers and whines which slowly increased until Remus was screaming and growling, the human sounds becoming more and more animal like until it fell silent once more. However, the night didn't say silent for long because soon after she heard something large and heavy throwing itself against the door that held Remus and her father inside. It took only three hits before the door was thrown open and out stalked a big wolf.
It froze when it spotted Lyra laying on the grass and let out a loud growl, she remembered her fathers orders and stayed down. Her fathers Animagus walked out slowly approaching her side as if to protect her but Moony stalked forward taking in her form not paying any attention to the dog beside her.
Both Sirius and Lyra watched motionless as Moony continued to move forward growling lightly. Lyra rolled onto her back showing her throat making Sirius whine softly but Moony rushed forward gripping the offered neck between his teeth.
The dog Animagus barked angrily but he knew he couldn't more forward and Lyra stayed silent as the teeth weren't piercing her fur merely holding her still, Moony released her neck after a few more seconds taking in her scent deeply. They both waiting until he purred rubbing his head against Lyra's before moving back, she knew the next step so she slowly rolled back but stayed low as she stood almost like she was crouching.
Moony moved forward sticking his snout under her belly, he lifted her up fully as if teaching Lyra how to stand like a mother would do with a baby cub. He moved back and barked happily when she stood at full height, he moved back and forth and she copied making him bark again wagging his tail. He moved back as if wanting to play so she copied and he pounced making Lyra hit the ground, the pair rolled before he sprung back waiting for her to stand and crouch before he lunged again.
They played for a long time, probably hours until Lyra yelped slightly when his sharp claws caught her face. The two men froze, Moony began to whine, moving closer he licked the wound rubbing against Lyra fully almost like an apology. Her Father walked forward and Moony snapped around looking at him growling slightly as if protecting Lyra, it was confusing because Remus had been taking his potions but this felt more like Moony was in control. Lyra whined and crawled closer to her fathers dog form, licking her father's head Moony tilted his own head before bounding over.
Sirius tried riling Moony up to play like they usually did but Moony wasn't interested instead snapping at him when Sirius didn't let up, the wolf pondered to Lyra, playing with her or simply watching her. It looked to Sirius that he was trying to teach Lyra how to hunt and was becoming increasingly more worried when she didn't seem to understand, whining he caught a bird who was unlucky enough to fly low enough for the wolf to pouch upwards and tried feeding it to Lyra who grimaced making Sirius huff in laughter.
Grimacing Lyra bit down on the bird and Moony barked prancing around happily before he dug into the bird sharing it with Lyra which was very unnormal for a wolf to do, so it made it almost seem like Remus was in the forefront but everything was contradicting itself. Later in the evening when the moon was losing power Moony laid with Lyra after nudging her into the barn, snuggling into her side he laid like that the rest of the night, face buried in her neck their sides pressed together, he let Padfoot crawl forward and join them.
In the morning Remus was still sore, having every bone broken and re-shaped for the wolf before broken again into a more human shape but he was shocked at how he had not one wound. Even with the Marauders there'd be a wound or two but that morning he woke up simply achy "Moony?" Sirius' voice called his attention to the black panther still laid out by them asleep, Sirius handed him clothes which he was quick to pull on.
"I don't understand" Remus whispered trying not to wake Lyra.
"Understand what?"
"All night i was treating her as if she was a pup even if she was a fully grown panther, Moony was convinced he had, had a pup" Remus shook his head "I see her as mine, my pup, always have and i knew Moony thought so too but last night...Even with the potion he was right there Sirius, he could have hurt her and i wouldn't have been able to do anything, the whole night he was fighting me trying to..."
"Trying to spend time with his pup" Sirius smirked "He was different last night, never seen you like that with or without the potion, you fed her" he chortled unable to hold it back "She tried so hard not to eat it but you were growing concerned"
Remus rubbed his hand down his face "God, no one said werewolves became so parental"
"Well you have your own now bud, only gonna get worse"
"That's the thing Sirius...He can't distinguish"
Sirius shrugged "Is it really that awful? She's a great kid, could have worse but i hope you know i will fight you for favourite parent" Remus chuckled shaking his head as he watched his oldest friend pick up his daughter's form, which was still in the shape of a panther, to carry her inside. He was always learning new things to do with his condition even now but maybe this wasn't the worst part of it.
~~~
When the letters were sent out to invite students to come back it was bittersweet, Ron didn't want to go back, his point of view was more of the fact that going back to school made him uncomfortable after everything which was fair but on the other hand Hermione was adamant she was going back. All four of them had been offered a spot as Aurors disregarding the fact they hadn't taken their N.E.W.T's, Ron was going to join, Harry had been thinking about it but both girls had kindly declined.
Hermione wanted to take her N.E.W.T's and work at the Minister to make life better for the minorities like werewolves and elves while Lyra wasn't completely sure what she wanted to do, she hadn't thought she'd make it this far so she was going to go back for her 'seventh' year to decide.
"You really should go back Harry, it would be good for you" Hermione sighed as she watched Harry fill his mug with coffee.
"I know Hermione you've told me like fifty times, it's just--" he sighed "I killed Voldemort Hermione, i beat him at Hogwarts...I'm not ready to go back"
Hermione looked down at the table, she had found the whereabouts of her parents it was just getting their memories back now but she knew they would want her to finish her schooling, it was something she strived for and it hadn't resonated that maybe going back was a nightmare for others.
Speaking of nightmares...Boy did people down play the trauma of war, everyone knew after war people had nightmares, PTSD, quirks they picked up but while they knew that no one understood just how it effected people until it happened to them or someone they loved. Hermione still woke every night wanted to check on Lyra, she'd been staying at the Black Manor which helped but also fueled her nightly trips, Harry had nightmares of that day at the Manor, about how it could have ended, nightmares of that night in the Forbidden Forest, if Voldemort would have won, sometimes he worries Voldemort is still with him.
Ron had stayed with the twins at the Burrow, Fred's very close call with death triggering them hard, each had been home even Charlie to just appreciate life at a whole set. Bill and Fleur were pregnant and had just surprised everyone their due date was May 2000 which just made the Weasleys even more devoted to spending time together.
But Lyra was the one people seemed to worry about, she went on like nothing had happened but they knew she had nightmares, some days she'd freeze up when someone walked behind her or laughed to high pitched in the streets. Not only did she have the trauma from the war, she saw ghosts everyday. Not literal ghosts that you'd see at Hogwarts which there was a few new ones there now, students who chose to stay within the halls...No, the ghost she sees spoke to her, smiled, they're the ones she saved, the one which should have died but didn't.
She knew the lifetime that should have been and the one that was, that kind of trauma didn't leave you, she woke in the night drenched in sweat having to remind herself that her father was alive, Remus was alive, Fred was alive, Dobby was alive. But with the ones she saved came the ones she hadn't, Lavender's funeral had been a lively event, sad but packed, she was loved by many, missed by more. Colin Creevy, someone who shouldn't have even been at Hogwarts, his name had been crossed off, he had been removed from the castle with the other children but he had snuck his way back inside to help...He was one of the sprits who chose to stay, his camera hung around his neck as he spoke happily to anyone he could.
The days she didn't wake seeing one of the living die she woke having relived that night in the Forbidden Forest, seeing the green flash, Harry's body hitting hard ground, she was struggling and as much as she tried to hide it everyone saw.
Harry, Lyra and Draco had, had that decision, they had all agreed to wait, Harry and Draco had a lot of growing to do and forgiveness they would have to learn to grow to like the other they found it easier when Lyra was with them but this wasn't something that was to take lightly this could very well be it for the rest of their lives. Draco and Sirius were close, Narcissa now free of her house arrest had been becoming closer to Andromeda who needed company now more then ever after losing her husband Ted in the war.
The Black Manor had become a resting ground for a while, Narcissa was having the Malfoy Manor all but rebuilt completely wanting to get rid of the traces of dark magic, she also had that drawing room demolished turning it into another greenhouse which she'd already had filled with her favourite flowers. Everyone was healing in their own ways, anyway they could.
"Have you decided to take the position Mi?" Lyra muttered holding the fresh coffee Harry had given her in between her hands.
"Head girl?" Hermione frowned "I thought about it, before it was everything i want, i strived to that badge but now? Now it feels wrong, i think i just want a year where my only responsibility is studying for my N.E.W.T's...So i sent an owl to Head mistress McGonagall this morning declining"
~~~
Harry had decided not to go back to Hogwarts but he had gone with the girls to get their school supplies, Ron had been taking shifts at the Weasley joke shop before he joined the Aurors with Harry. Saying goodbye at the train felt weird, strange even but at least the two girls had each other.
The year was slow, quiet, the two girls missed the two boys but they stayed busy by helping McGonagall with her plan to improve inter house relations, the two girls being watched by the whole school made a point to sit at a new table everyday even the Slytherin table. With them others joined, slowly the hall wasn't separated by the four houses but by friendships, it wasn't as busy as Hogwarts normally was, it was still healing, parents were still hesitant to send their children.
The teachers were trying their best, not being able to find replacements for the teachers who hadn't made it or had retired so the smaller years had been a small blessing in a way, whole years were taking the same class instead of two houses.
McGonagall had summoned Lyra to the head office, the gargoyle seeing her spun open without a password and she walked up the steps "Ahh Lyra, come in please" Lyra walked in and took the offered seat by the table, her eyes lifted seeing Dumbledore's portrait looking at her along with the other portraits "I summoned you because...Well because i worry. Not just about you but for your whole year, i want to know what you plan on doing when you leave Hogwarts?"
"Oh" she whispered looking around "I-I'm not too sure, i haven't decided"
"Well what are your options?"
Lyra hesitated "I won't lie to you Ma'am i...I hadn't thought i'd..."
"I see" McGonagall muttered as she studied the girl in front of her, a girl she had watched grow, Lyra Black was someone who hadn't changed much personality wise. She was confident the moment she stepped foot in Hogwarts, sure of her place in this world, kind but cheeky much like her father but for the first time Lyra seemed unsure, hesitant. She cleared her throat "I heard Minister Shacklebolt has been in contact with you regarding a space within the Auror's"
Lyra nodded "He has and while i respect them it's just not for me, i'm tired of fighting Ma'am"
"Please Lyra we fought together, you even saved me from a particularly nasty curse in the courtyard i think we are beyond titles, call me Minerva" McGonagall smiled, it startled Lyra slightly the woman was always a strong authority figure for her, someone who brought her a level of safety and rules but here she was forgoing it all.
"If that is what you wish"
McGonagall nodded slightly "There are many jobs available to you that forego having to fight" she shuffled her papers "Have you thought of getting any masters?"
"I haven't no"
"Well...I know Severus has nothing but high regards of your potions talents, i know first hand how talented you are in transfiguration"
Lyra frowned "I appreciate that but i'm not sure what i could do with that?"
McGonagall hummed "Have you perhaps thought about teaching? I know about your hand with the DA, i also know now about the mind lessons with Mr Potter...We fight on occasion, getting fourteen year olds to hand in homework will always be a struggle but i think in a year or so you would do well. Lord knows we need the help"
"I'd be young" she frowned "No more then three years older then the seventh years?"
"Young but wise beyond your years, you always have been. You do know Professor Sprout is trying to get Mr Longbottom to ponder it, you wouldn't be the only one within your group to get poached, i also happen to know Mr Draco is keen to work with Severus for his masters, i'd say within five years most of our staff will be made up of mainly young professors"
"But what class would you suggest?"
"That is why i asked you here today, i wanted to offer you the chance to train under me, i know you still have untapped potential, your transformations are seamless and are done with ease. I know you have more in you and i want to help...I want to help you get your masters"
"Why?"
"It may seem selfish but i am not getting younger, i am now Head mistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor while also teaching transfiguration...I can only do so much"
"And yet you want to train me for a masters?"
McGonagall chuckled "That is true but much like you i still have more to give, i am positive if i train you for the next two years or so, i can see my work load getting lighter"
She frowned reaching forward to take a lemon sherbet from a dish on the table, it was sweet to see she had kept it there "And if i don't want to teach but still want to get my masters?"
"Then i will have to start interviewing outwards" McGonagall shrugged as if it was no big deal "I will warn you, it won't be easy, i won't go easy on you. I know what you have to give me Lyra and i will not settle for less"
"What if i don't have what you believe i do?"
The older witch cocked a brow at her "I have been doing this far longer then you were a twinkle in your mother eyes Lyra, i know the difference between competent and extraordinary"
"Alright" Lyra nodded "If you see something and are willing then who am i to deny"
"Too right" McGonagall chuckled "I will made a schedule, we will work in both our down time and times i am teaching, it might be nice having an apprentice" the older witch smirked "I hope you can mark papers"
"I'm sure i can catch on if not"
"I am sure" McGonagall nodded.
~~~
Christmas had been and gone, the holidays spent at the Black Manor with everyone, Harry and Ron were enjoying their practices and training but were sending letters almost everyday to their girls, Draco had been stuck into the deep end trying to get his masters in Potions as was Neville with his Herbology masters.
Lyra was stood by McGonagall's table as she taught what few first years the school had, she tried not to grimace as they stared at her in awe, in her free periods she had taken to helping McGonagall in her classes, it was hours towards her masters after all "Miss Black, can you see to Mr Lewis?"
"Sure" Lyra moved towards the boy who sat with sullenly towards the back of the classroom "Want to tell me why you look so down?" she whispered towards the boy who sighed.
"I can't get it, been at it for weeks and i just can't"
She hummed "I see...I want you to try something new for me, do you think that will be alright?" the young boy nodded quickly with wide eyes "I want you to feel for your magic, feel it under your skin" she crouched down beside his table as she continued to talk to him softly "Is it warm? Does it move quickly or slowly?"
"I think i feel it" he whispered.
"Good, describe it to me"
"It-It feels warm, like home...I don't know about if it moves quickly or slowly but it tingles, almost like pins and needles"
Lyra chuckled "Good, does it have a colour?"
"Purple, but a light purple" he answered quickly.
"Can you move it? Bring it to your fingertips perhaps?" he went silent for a while his face scrunching up before he gasped and nodded, Lyra hummed "Open your eyes" she whispered and his eyes burst open from where they had shut "Look at the match stick"
The eleven year old looked at the match stick in front of him "I want you to feel your magic still alright?" he nodded hearing Lyra Black's soft words "Picture it in your mind, picture your magic encapsulating the match, twisting around it, bending it to your will, see the wood becoming silver, picture the wood strengthening into metal, how would it feel? How would it sound if you dropped it against your table?" the boy went to answer but she shook her head "Don't tell me, show me, your magic listens all you have to do is ask"
He took a deep breath before gritting his teeth, he didn't speak for a long time before he brought his wand up and without a single word she watched the match stick shift, it rolled before turning into a perfect needle. He gasped eyes wide as he took in the needle, his small hand reaching out to touch the sharp metal "I did it...I did it!"
"Yes, you did" Lyra grinned "You want to know something cool?" he nodded looking back to her as his hand gripped the needle "You did it non-verbally, you did that all without speaking a spell which is very hard to do but you did it...You can do anything you just have to believe in yourself and your magic"
"Does it always listen?"
Lyra nodded "Your magic is you, you are magic, you just have to believe"
A throat clearing behind her made her look up, McGonagall was stood behind her with a small smirk "Very well done Mr Lewis, five points to Gryffindor" the boy grinned showing his needle to his friends who grinned flashing him thumbs ups as Lyra followed McGonagall back to her table "He has been stuck on that for two weeks now...You seem to have a gift"
Lyra took a deep breath looking back to the eleven year old Gryffindor who was beaming at her still clutching onto his match, a smile trying to work it's way onto her face "You are devious Minnie but i think you have just trapped me"
Hearing the name McGonagall paused memories flashing in her minds eye of a young Sirius grinning at her as he used the very same nickname, trying to get out of trouble by being charming. She looked back to the young Black heir and chuckled quietly "You are so much like your father"
"Thank you!" Lyra beamed at her as if that was the highest compliment she could have received because to her it was.
~~~
Both girls had taken their N.E.W.T's, the year had ended leaving a sad bittersweet feeling in the air, Hogwarts was their home, the place they had meet, the place where they had met friends they'd have for life, the place they had fought to survive...To leave felt wrong but necessary like life was going to carry on this new step, Lyra hugged Hagrid as tightly as she could, the man sniffling as he patted her back.
"None of that now, it's not goodbye forever! You are all welcome to come for a pot of tea and some cakes" Hagrid spoke his voice trembling as he tried not to blubber.
"And you must stop by for dinner some time Hagrid!" Lyra smiled her own eyes misty as she took in the castle once more, it's true this wasn't goodbye forever but it was a goodbye to her school days as a Hogwarts student, something that shouldn't have been possible to begin with but by the gods was she happy is was.
She caught sight of McGonagall who simple winked at her before they were ushered onto the train for what would be the last time for some of them, she breathed in deeply smelling sweat and sweet treats in the air, in their regular compartment Lyra held Hermione hand tightly as they were both overcome with emotions.
"It feels like the end" Hermione sobbed.
"But it's not, just you and I Mi"
Her best friend nodded "You and I Lyra, Always"
"Always" Lyra whispered and for a second she felt a presence with them like someone stroking her cheek and she smiled "Always...You know what we should do?"
"What?"
"Make this a moment etched into forever" Lyra stood "From day one this was our compartment, where we both bet Ron and Harry, where we shared treats and slept for long journeys, read new books and laughed...I'm not ready to leave it"
Hermione sniffled with a smile "So what do we do?"
"Make it ours" she grinned and pulled out her wand moving to the wall by the window, her window seat.
"Lyra!" Hermione gasped in shocked as her friend etched into the wood "That's vandalism!"
"I'll pay if they sue" Lyra moved back and chuckled at her work, a bittersweet feeling washing over her.
L.B H.G
H.P R.W
It felt final, it was final.
~~~
Both girls had passed with flying colours O in all classes, Lyra was still working on her masters and after she was pretty sure she wanted to teach, being there helping others feel what she did, it was what magic should feel like. She also wanted to work towards a masters in Defense but that would come later, right now she was enjoying being home with her family and her budding relationship...Yes Draco and Harry had become 'friends', it was rough going in the beginning but the two boys couldn't help but grow to like the other.
They went on dates singularly then as a trio which began awkwardly but they grew to appreciate the others company. Draco had gotten his masters in Potion after another year and was selling potions at a reduced rate along with the Wolfsbane Potion.
Hermione had gotten a job in the Ministry months after finishing school, Kingsley had all but snapped her up and she was already working to help creatures.
Harry and Ron had been moving up the ranks within the Aurors, they had all but caught all the last Death Eaters who had tried to escape, they were loving life but both agreed it probably wasn't forever, Ron was going to stay until they caught every last one before he already planned to join his brothers at the joke shop. He had found life there when he was finding it hard to see elsewhere, the shop reminded him to smile. Harry had agreed that when the last known Death Eater was caught he'd step down, he wasn't sure what he'd step down too yet but he would find something.
Lyra, well Lyra was on her way to finishing her masters in Transfiguration, McGonagall had been truthful, she wasn't going easy on Lyra but it made her push to be better, to do better.
~~~
May 2000
Victorie Weasley was born, a stunning blonde haired babe who screamed her lungs out when she was too far from her mother or father, the child was beautiful. A beauty that reminded others that within the sadness and lowest lows if one looked hard enough they were reminded that there was beauty and highs to be seen and they waited for you.
~~~
February 2002
Dominique Weasley was added to the fold, her hair as red as poppies but her eyes as blue as sapphires, the Weasleys were being blessed and nothing could bring down their happy moods.
Lyra had finished her masters to a standard that stunned many, she had forgone her wand entirely with most of her spell work and her transfigurations were done as easy as breathing. McGonagall had been smug of course telling any that she had known from the beginning that she knew her potential.
~~~
April 2003
"Take a deep breath Mi" Lyra giggled as she flapped her hands in front of her best friends face to stop the on coming tears.
"Yes my love, take her advice, don't keel over now" Mrs Granger grinned even if she herself held a tissue to her eyes.
"I don't want to fall" Hermione muttered as her hands fisted into the soft material.
Lyra chuckled once more as Mrs Granger tutted "As if your father would allow such a thing" The Grangers had received their memories a few years ago but over the passed two years they have been patching their relationship back up with Hermione, the anger wasn't misplaced but once they realized what she had done came from a place of fear they started to forgive her "Deep breaths darling"
"You look beautiful Mi" Lyra took her friends hand to stop them from wrinkling the dress "Absolutely stunning"
"I agree" Mrs Granger nodded "Oh dear, i'm going to start crying"
"No please don't" Hermione whined fanning her eyes once more as a knock on the door sounded and Sirius popped his head through the door.
"It's time Kitten"
"Don't call me that!" Hermione glared tears long forgotten "But thank you" she softened as Lyra grinned.
"That's my cue, i'll give you two few seconds" she nodded and left the room to stand by Harrys side "How is he?"
"Shitting bricks, how is she?"
"Crying bricks" She giggled "Lord knows why they are so scared after everything we've been through?"
Harry grinned his hand coming up to sweep a piece of her hair back "I think it's because after everything this is what we fought for...It's the hardest thing to have because you'd know what it is to lose"
Lyra shook her head taking his hand to press a kiss to it "They won't lose it, you don't lose that kind of love"
"I agree" he whispered kissing her gently as he cupped her face, when the music changed he pulled back "That's us" he hooked her hand through his arm and together they slowly walked through the doors and towards Ron who was practically shaking. Their red headed friend grinned seeing his two dearest friends using them to try to ground himself which was no good when Kingsley turned to the crowd.
"May you all rise for the bride" the crowd moved to their feet and the music changed once more, the doors opened and showed Hermione gowned in white holding into her fathers arm.
They all felt the moment the soon to be husband and wife locked eyes, the crowd felt the moment they all were practically swept away as it became just the pair of them. When Hermione and her father reached the end of the isle Mr Granger passed Ron, Hermione's hand and moved to stand by his own wife, eyes watery as he did so.
Hermione handed Lyra her flowers so she could hold Ron with both hands "You may all be seated" Kingsley nodded and the crowd sat, Lyra locked eyes with Draco who was sat within the crowd, he shot her a large smile and winked as Kingsley began marrying Ron and Hermione.
"Do you Ronald Billius Weasley take Hermione Jean Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or for poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
Ron grinned at Hermione with a smile that should have hurt but he without so much as a hesitation he nodded "I do"
Kingsley smiled and turned to Hermione "And do you Hermione Jean Granger take Ronald Billius Weasley to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or for poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do" Hermione giggled squeezing Ron looking so positively happy it hurt everyone stomachs with how sweet it was.
"Can we have the rings?" Harry jolted slightly before he moved forward handing Ron a box while Lyra handed Hermione hers.
"Rings are an unbroken circle with ends that have been joined together and it represents your union, it is a symbol of your unity and your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands be reminded of this moment, your commitment and the love you now feel for one another." Kingsley grinned "Ron place the ring on Hermione's finger and repeat after me" Ron nodded flushing red "Hermione Jean Granger, i give you this ring as a symbol of my love--"
"Hermione Jean Granger, i give you this ring as a symbol of my love--"
"To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever."
"To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever" Ron finished a little bit breathlessly as he stared at Hermione with nothing but love.
Kingleys nodded "And now Hermione, place the ring on Ron's ringer and repeat after me" Hermione slid the ring onto Ron finger her hands visibly trembling "Ronald Billius Weasley, i give you this ring as a symbol of my love--"
"Ronald Billius Weasley, i give you this ring as a symbol of my love--"
"To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever."
"To love you today, tomorrow, always and forever" Hermione spoke slowly, annunciate every word as if scared she was going to get it wrong but Kingsley turned towards the crowd.
"Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage, you have sealed this with these ring, by the power vested in me, as Minister of Magic" he winked making everyone chuckle "I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride"
Ron grinned as he brought Hermione closer and they kissed, it wasn't scandalous but it was love filled. The crowd broke out in loud roaring cheers the Weasley brothers louder the the rest as they did so and the newly weds walked back down the isle hand in hand.
Lyra glanced down feeling Harrys finger gently spin the ring on her own left hand, the two boys had proposed not too long ago, her father had fainted when they had sent him a joined marriage contract, he had tried to smuggle Lyra out of the Manor that night until Lucius had stopped him. Narcissa had taken Lyra for tea while the two men walked into the study, strong silencing charms had been put up and it wasn't until about three hours later they had left the study.
The contract had been signed after she had promised him it was what she wanted although Sirius had added many clauses that acted almost as a backdoor exit for her, she wouldn't need them but to know he cared that much meant the world to Lyra. The ring on her left hand was beautiful, a round cut diamond that Draco had, had commissioned, while beautiful it was surprising because by normal tradition she had thought she was going to be presented with a old family piece. She wasn't sad or bothered for she didn't care for their vaults it had merely surprised her but her father looked pleased, touched even when he saw it so she knew there was something bigger going on.
~~~
: Weasley Wedding...Death Eaters invited?
Lyra sneered at the Profit in front of her, there was a photo of the Malfoys at Ron and Hermione's wedding, this was too far so she grabbed the paper and left the Manor before anyone else was awake.
Lyra made it to the paper office before most were there and she walked towards the name plated office ignoring the receptionist who tried to stop her, throwing the door open she walked in and the blonde looked up at her and startled. Rita sprung up from her seat and her wand was held in her hand but Lyra narrowed her eyes and the wand flew into the air towards her which she caught "Rude"
"What are you doing here!" the woman stuttered as her face paled and she moved to keep the desk between them.
Lyra threw the paper onto the desk "This. I allowed you to have a long leash when Hermione released you but this?" she pointed to the paper "You went too far"
"I-I-"
"No" Lyra shook her head "Do not speak, i have not granted you leave to do so, sit down!" Rita fell into her seat as sweat began to gather on her hairline and her eyes darted around looking for an escape "I wouldn't shift either because i won't go to Azkaban for squishing a bug" she hissed under her breath and Rita choked on a sob. Lyra sat in the guest seat opposite her and waited letting the blonde stew in fear until she grew bored of her own issued silence "Here's what's going to happen, i'm going to talk and you will listen do you understand?"
Rita nodded and Lyra hummed grabbed a quick quill off the table, she played with it in her hands as if she wasn't about to threaten the woman "Good" she gestured to the paper with her head "That is the last paper you will ever write under yourself, you have two choices and you will make it today...Your first choice is that you can continue to write but everything you write will go through me first, every edit, every idea you have gets signed off by me" she smirked "Your second choice is you leave your job. Today. You will stop being a writer in every sense of the matter, no books, no issues, not even a diary entry because i won't just turn you into the ministry for being unregistered i will buy every fucking paper business in England"
Lyra chuckled "If you leave England i will follow and i will buy any paper business in the area you end up at, i will be your shadow and no one will hire you, no one will even take you calls or articles because i won't allow it, you'll be done for good..." she snapped the quick quill in her hand and threw both halves on the paper she wrote, the ink spilling over the shit article ruining the paper "You may speak now"
"Are you out of your mind? You can't...You can't threaten me!" Rita screeched hands clawing at the desk.
Lyra cocked her head "Oh no, no, i wasn't threatening you Rita, i meant everything i just said...You either work for me, write for me or i will bury you"
"You can't-"
"I can" Lyra snapped "This is my family, I killed Death Eaters for threatening my family, take care with how you speak to me"
Rita shook her head "I will go to the Ministry"
Lyra stood from her seat and nodded "I see you've made up your mind, i hope that issue was a good one because it was your last" she moved to the door but before her hand touched the door handle she was stopped.
"Wait! Wait please! You can't do this"
"But i can" She didn't even turn she merely looked at Rita over her shoulder "And i will"
"I work for you!" Lyra ignored it and went to continue to open the door "Stop! I will! I will work for you!" she paused and Rita cried loudly "I'll do it but you can't have me fired, i need this"
"You need what i give you, you will take no more, do no more then what i grant you permission to" Lyra turned and narrowed her eyes at the blonde who nodded quickly "If i come to you with a story you write it, no lies, no exaggerations, from this point on you will stay in your lane because the second you stop i will take everything from you. Do i make myself clear?"
"Crystal" Rita sobbed nodding.
"Good, your first article for me will be to recant that" she pointed to the mess on the table "You may make up some story about how you have been scared over the passed few years and were writing to get a target off your back but from today you are a new woman. Your articles will be truthful and soon you will gain back the trust of the readers...But you best hope they believe it because this is a trial print, disappoint and i may just bury you regardless"
Rita stood and shook in her place "I will, they will, i swear!"
"Don't promise me just make it happen" Lyra hissed and walked from the room but paused in the door way "You have twenty four hours, i expect a well written article by morn"
~~~
Not even twenty four hours later, early morning Hedwig dropped the profit in front of her "Thanks sweet girl" Lyra cooed feeding her some bacon before she unrolled the paper.
:The Truth Will Set Us Free
The article was actually surprisingly well written, it proceeded to explain how Rita had been threatened to sully any known light member for her to be able to keep her life but now the Death Eater was in Azkaban and she felt safe to speak the truth for the first time in years. It spoke about how she felt liberated and how she felt like a new woman, it promised truthful articles and gave a full recant of the paper prior. She even apologized to the newly weds and the Malfoys not speaking one word about Lyra Black but she did thank the Golden Quartet for her new lease of 'protection' and 'safety'.
Lyra chuckled and wrote a short message giving it to Hedwig "To Miss Rita Skeeter please sweet girl" the owl hooted before taking flight.
In the very same office Rita unrolled the parchment with trembling fingers and read the short missive, she took a shuddering breath and cried in relief before burning the paper and leaning back in her seat.
Nicely done, who knew you were such a talented writer? I look forward to this partnership, don't fuck it up.
~ L.B
She'd done it, she'd kept her job, now she just had to keep her head down to keep it.