The bells rung loudly—dismissing class for the day as torrents of young girls poured out from the school buildings. Lyra was one of them, holding her daemon in her arms along with her heavy schoolbooks. It wasn't bad here—truly it wasn't, and it wasn't that she was lonely because she wasn't—really, she wasn't…and how could she ever be lonely anyway, with Pan forever at her side?

A girl sided up to her, face gleaming with the dappled afternoon sunlight. "Lyra! Come study with me tonight, won't you? I'm going to do horribly on that exam tomorrow otherwise…"

Lyra smiled, and said, kindly. "Of course—I've only got to ask Kerstel if she doesn't mind you coming over."

Deia grinned happily. "Oh good, good! I'll be seeing you at six o clock then, is that okay?"

She nodded, and the younger girl skipped off, soon lost among the crowd.

"You wouldn't have done that two years ago," Pan remarked offhandedly, peering up at her through their embrace.

Lyra shrugged. "Maybe," she said, looking off at her schoolmates as they chattering idly, some laying down beneath the shadows of the trees in an attempt to escape the heat. "I guess we've grown up, haven't we, Pan?"

Her daemon curled up into a ball on her History book. "Yes, I suppose."


Kerstel was a timid Year Eight girl, and Lyra was sure that she would have no problems at all getting her to say yes to Deia's visit. Her daemon—an equally bashful small swallow, gave away her answer before she actually said it by chirping brightly.

They'd been dorm mates together for the last year, and Lyra was sure that despite Kerstel's shyness, she was getting to know her quite well.

They engrossed themselves in the night's homework—at least, until Lyra became thoroughly bored and started to idly watch Pantalaimon and Heston—Kerstel's daemon play.

Then, sighing, she turned back to her work, not even noticing all the tiny room's occupants turning to her at her loud exhale.

A small smile lit her lips. Tomorrow, a taste of her old self would be coming back—it would be Midsummer's Day, and she would be skipping classes to see Will.


Don't worry—the other chapters will not be this short. It's only because this is a prequel to the actual story. I apologize if I've made any mistakes (like the spelling of Pan's full name . ) This is my first time writing HDM fanfiction, and quite a long time since any fanfiction at all.

Please review! You'll get (imaginary) cookies!