Fate Has Its Ways

Sixth-year Hogwarts student, Lyra Malfoy, put aside her copy of Hogwarts: A History as she plopped on her bed with a slight thump. It was way past midnight and she was anything but sleepy. She ran her fingers around the binding of the book and closed her eyes. For the millionth time, she tried to feel the touch of the person to whom the book had originally belonged. And for the billionth time again, she failed to do so.

There was no name written on the pages inside the book and her father tried his best to act like he really meant it when he denied knowing how the book made its way into the library of the Malfoy Manor. But she, Lyra, knew of course. The book belonged to her mother. If only she knew who her mother was.

There was little that she knew about her own mother. For starters, she knew her mother had brown eyes. Big, soft, brown eyes. Beautiful eyes that she had passed on to Lyra.

And she enjoyed reading books. At least some. The was HAH and a few other books at the Malfoy Manor that did not have any ink or spot on them. All the others bore the names of their owners and had clumsily folded corners and pages. Her father's books were in between. They has corners that had once been folded but now were straight as if some person had taken the time to unfold the turned corners and straightened them out. Lyra realized that the person was her mother.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But within two minutes, her eyes were wide open again. Her gaze was drawn to the window. She saw a small white fluff in the sky, growing larger by the second. Her heart had a 'arresto momentum' beat as she jumped up to open the window.

The snowy white owl glided in smoothly through the open window and landed soundlessly on the table. It had quite a practice of doing so, considering that it had been doing the same for quite a few years now. The owl flew away, not told to expect an answer.

She opened the letter, shaking her head at the messy scrawl; her gaze lingering ovre her name in the same messy scrawl for a moment more than necessary to read and acknowledge the word.

Lys,

Hey there. How are the winds at MM? Must be fantastic owing to the arrival of results of the exams today morn, I suppose. Yeah yeah, I know, you topped in every damn subject. No need to tell me that. I did well too. Mum and Dad are happy. And that is sufficient.

Mum and Dad have invited you for the Al's birthday. It is after three days. Al is insisting that he is old enough to not have a big birthday party and that he doesn't really want a celebration. The mature little git. But Mum and Dad are insisting on inviting close friends and family. I'll apparate at the Manor to pick you up by five. Don't be late, okay? How is blondie by the way? Give him my greetings.

See ya soon,

James.

Lyra sat down at the table, the parchment, ink and quill at her ready.

James Sirius Potter,

For the last time, my name is LYRA, not LYS.

And stop calling my father a blondie, will you? That is so rude.

About Al's birthday, I want to come, will tell you my confirmed answer after telling Dad about it.

And you are saying, if I do come (which I most certainly will. I think your Dad already talked to mine about the party) that you will apparate to my house and then we will both apparate to your house? So, you are going to step outside your house just to enter it moments later with me?

Forget about it. I am coming on my own.

See you soon too,

Lyra.

Six years of friendship with James Sirius Potter had made her sure that no matter what, each and every single Gryffindor trait was imbibed into his veins. Brave at heart, daring nerve and most of all, chivalry. She knew he was going to be at her door at five to take her to the party.

Lyra went to the window, a smile tugging at her lips as the familiar owl once again came sailing in. It flew away as soon as she undid the knots tied to its leg.

Lys,

Can't you just write a 'yes' and save me the writing trouble? I have more important things to do-like plan a surprise for Al on his birthday that everyone can enjoy.

Be there at five.

Love, James.

...

A/N:

As you might have guessed by now, this is going to be a DraMione and James-Lyra fic.

Thanks for reading!