AN:I don't have a beta. Any mistakes are mine. I welcome constructive criticism, I will ignore down right meanness. Please review, it helps feed the bunnies.

AN: I would like to thank Maddymoo25 and Booktube for reviewing. I would also like to thank everyone who has read and didn't review. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Writing fanfiction is a way I stay sane in nursing school. I do not write for profit. Any plot, setting, or characters that are recognizable belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 2: Sorting Hat

September 3, 2018

Dear Papa,

Scorpius says it is okay to be angry or happy, but I am not. I am just so terribly confused. Why now? Why did she come to the station Papa? What could she possibly want from us? Should I write to her like she said? I just don't know what I should do.

I am sorry to start this letter off like that, and I have taken this long for me to write. I was afraid of your reaction. Grand- père said I would be disowned if I was anything other than Slytherin. The hat placed me Papa! I wanted to be in Slytherin, I promise. I know that Scorpius has already told you about the sorting ceremony. The Sorting Hat said that I would do great here. I just hope you aren't angry. I couldn't stand it if you were angry.

I have met a lot of new people and even made a few friends. Scorpius was right the Potters are really nice. Lily, Albus' and James' little sister, is in my year. We share a dorm, just like Albus and Scorpius. The other girls seem a little weary of me, but I am not going to let that bother me. They'll come around eventually, it's a shock. At least that was what Lily told me. Other than her, James Potter and Teddy Lupin have very nice to me. No one has said anything directly to me, but I can tell they are really uneasy about me being here.

Classes seem interesting, at least with the first few classes. We haven't learnt anything yet. We have just gone over the syllabuses and calendars, the expectations and safety measures, and the basic mechanics of the magics we will use for each class. So far, Potions is my favorite. We have actually been able to do something in there, and I guess it doesn't hurt that Uncle Blaise teaches it.

But Papa, I miss you. I miss home. I never thought I would be this upset about not being there but I am. I hope it will get easier. Please don't let Grand-père disown me, I really hope he was jesting when he said that.

I am sorry I am not in Slytherin. If it make you feel better the hat of torn between this and Ravenclaw.

I love you.

Your Gryffindor,

Lyra

PS: If you aren't too mad at me, will you get Tipsy to send some sweets? Oh, and I left Minx's treats. The cat has ignored me since we have gotten here. Please Papa?

September 1, 2018

Lyra held on tightly to her father's hand as they pushed themselves through the throng of muggles, while Scorpius pushed the cart that had their things. She looked around wide-eyed at all the people, her ears hurt from the loud announcements and train whistles. People walked around, not looking where they were going but at the devices in their hands, wires coming from their ears. Muggle London was loud and fast, and overwhelming. Lyra loved it.

"Stop staring, darling." Draco reprimanded her gently, tugging her along.

"Papa, can we go into London when we get back for the holidays?" Lyra asked looking up to her father. Draco knew she meant muggle London. He glared around at all the people rushing about, their faces in their phones. He couldn't understand her appeal. They had been into a few muggle areas in France and just as she is now, Lyra was fascinated.

"We will see," he came to the stop in front of the platform's concealment charm and nodded to Scorpius. He grinned at his sister and ran through the wall disappearing. Lyra's eyes widened and she looked to Draco in shock. She hadn't come with Scorpius and Draco to the train station last year. She had stayed at the manor with Lucius and Narcissa.

"Will it hurt?" she asked, her voice conveyed her trepidation.

"No darling," he smiled gently and gave her a nudge toward the brick wall. She took a few hesitant steps and looked back at him. "Run if you're nervous. I'll be right behind you." Draco said to reassure her. She seemed to nod with determination and took off at the barrier, quickly disappearing behind the magic.

Draco did a quick check to make sure no one was watching, and was about to run through when a voice stopped him.

"Draco, darling." Her melodic voice chilled him. He turned to see Astoria walking toward him. "Have the children wait for me. I would like to say goodbye." Draco gritted his teeth, ignoring her, and quickly stepped through the barrier finding both Scorpius and Lyra waiting for him. He grabbed Lyra's hand and started down the platform.

"Lyra, Scorpius listen to me." Draco said as they stopped a few meters away from the barrier. "Your mother is here. She came to see Scorpius off last year, and it seems that she is intent on doing it again." Scorpius looked angry, while Lyra looked confused, curious, and a little afraid, but they both nodded.

"Let's not make a scene, understand?" Both the children nodded, but were stiff with tension.

Draco turned his attention to the barrier and waited for his ex-wife to make her entrance. She came through the barrier, and stood in her designer dress and shoes, hand up to block the sun out of her eyes, as she looked for them. When she spotted them, she smiled brightly, white teeth gleaming, and made her way quickly over to them.

"My babies are all grown up, look at both of you going to Hogwarts!" Her voice trembled dramatically with faked emotion. A few of the other parents smiled at her act, not knowing any better.

Scorpius tolerated her brushing her hand over his hair and fixing his collar, but Lyra clung to her father. She was standing as close as possible to him, tucked against his side. He wrapped a protective arm around her and twirled a lock of hair around his index finger. He didn't like that his children were so uncomfortable.

"My little flower," Astoria cooed to Lyra, Lyra shivered, and Draco snorted. "Focus on your studies and make sure your brother looks out for you." She continued to talk but the three Malfoys tuned her out.

Draco wondered why they had decided to get to the station so early. He should have known she would have done this. He knew Scorpius was angry, because of the tension in his posture. He wasn't sure how Lyra was feeling. He knew her curiosity would overcome any suspicion she had for her mother. Draco sighed, and looked out over the crowd.

Potter and Weaslette were here with their family. Two of the boys looked just like their father with untidy black hair. The oldest boy had shockingly platinum blonde shaggy hair with turquoise blue roots, down his part. The young girl had more Weasley in her; her hair was just as fiery as her mother's.

Granger was also here, Weaselbee wasn't. She was saying goodbye to a young girl, who was already changed into her Gryffindor school robes. The poor girl was probably a carbon copy of her mother already. Draco hoped not, Granger took herself way to seriously in school. The only fun she seemed to have was when her life was on the line.

Pansy was here with Theo saying goodbye to their twin girls. Theo held the hand of a five year old little boy. They waved when they saw him, and he waved back. He needed to send them a letter soon, schedule a dinner or lunch.

When he became bored with people watching, he turned his attention to his ex-wife as she gushed over her trip to Milan. Draco couldn't deny that she was attractive. She had the same long, dark, fine brown hair his daughter did. Her grey eyes glinted silver in the sun. She had classic aristocratic features, delicate cheekbones, small nose, pouting lip, milky skin. She was beautiful, outwardly.

In the beginning, Draco had hoped to love her, but she had made it clear that was never going to be a possibility. After Scorpius was conceived she had locked him out of her bedroom. Lyra had been conceived by accident after both of them had too much to drink at the Ministry Gala. She was furious at him for getting her pregnant yet again. After Lyra was born, Draco threw himself into raising his children, not allowing the elves to help. Shortly after Lyra turned six months, Draco found a note on his desk in the study saying she had left and taken off with her lover. Her lover didn't want children so she left them behind.

It didn't matter to him, and the children hadn't noticed a difference. She had never been motherly towards them.

It wasn't until the train whistle blew did Draco took control of the situation, sliding in front of Astoria and kneeling in front of the two children.

"Scorp take care of your sister." He looked sternly at his son, who nodded his head. "Make sure she knows where to go, we both know the prefects are rubbish at their jobs."

"Lyra," Draco started, but stopped when he saw her wet eyes. "Oh, my precious girl," he sighed and took her into his arm and held her close.

"It will be the holidays before you know it, darling." He smiled as he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "And Scorp will be there with you. You won't be alone."

"You won't be there," she sniffled and Draco handed her his handkerchief out of his pocket.

"I know, but I am only an owl away." He smiled at her, and the train whistle blew its last warning. He pulled both Lyra and Scorpius to him in a tight hug. "I love both of you, so much. Do well this year."

When he let go of them, Scorpius took his sisters hand and boarded the train. A few moments later, a window opened and both of them waved to him as the locomotive pulled from the station.

"I can't believe how much they have grown," Astoria sighed theatrically, placing a hand over her heart.

"I don't know what fucking game you are playing at, but you will not drag them into it!" Draco growled dangerously as he whirled around to face her.

"Drac-"she started, looking embarrassed.

"No! You made your choice eleven years ago. They aren't pretty dolls that you can show off and discard when you want. They are MY children." Astoria glanced around embarrassed at the people who were watching the exchange.

"Draco, people are being to stare." She scolded in a hushed tone.

"I don't give a damn! You will not be here to see them home on the holidays. You will not be here when I send them back to school. Do you understand?" he growled out. He could see the concerned looks he was receiving from Potter and Granger

"This isn't over," she huffed and turned to walk away. "They are my children too, you bastard."

"They weren't your children when you took off with that Hungarian Quidditch player, now were they?" He seethed watching her walk away and back out of his life, hopefully for good.

"Lyra Malfoy," Neville Longbottom read her name from the piece of parchment in his hands. Wiping her sweaty hands on the scratchy wool skirt, Lyra made her way to the stool. The professor placed the hat on her head and she waited. She found her brother's face in the crowd and bit her lip nervously, when nothing happened. Scorpius grinned back at her and tapped his temple.

"Lyra Malfoy," She heard a voice in her head and her eyes widened. "Where to put you? Smart, eager to please, loyal, kind, innocent but still brave."

"My whole family's been in Slytherin." Lyra said softly and the hat chuckled aloud.

"Not all of them. Four cousins, one in Ravenclaw, two in Gryffindor, and one in Hufflepuff. Oh my dear, Slytherin is not for you. Ravenclaw or Gryffindor is where you need to be," the hat said thoughtfully and after a moment or two it shouted. "Gryffindor!"

The whole Great Hall was silent, even Professor Longbottom was too shocked to take the hat off of her head. Lyra slipped the hat from her head and wearily got off the stood. She looked over to her brother, his eyes were wide with shock. When someone started clapping, both he and she jerked their attention to the person making the noise. James Potter and Teddy Lupin were standing and clapping. Scorpius and Albus quickly joined in with them.

Lyra made her way over to the two older Gryffindor boys and sat down beside James, who smiled at her. "James Potter, but everybody calls me Jamie." He said as an introduction, sticking out his hand for her to shake. "This is Theodore Lupin, he goes by Teddy or Lupin, and that's Fred, Molly, Vickie, and Rose Weasley." Lyra smiled and nodded to every person he named, all but Rose smiled back.

"Lily Potter," Professor Longbottom seemed to gather his wits and started calling more names out. Lyra couldn't help but to notice the tension in the air around the Gryffindor table. She was a little nervous about it.

"Gryffindor!" Lily came bounding to the table and sat down beside Lyra grinning.

"This is going to be great!" The red headed girl gushed, giving Lyra a quick hug before turning her attention to the rest of the sorting. Lyra smiled and tried to ignore the glare she was receiving from Rose Weasley.

Dear Lyra,

First off, you never have to ever worry about being disowned, darling. Grand- père was joking with you. There is nothing that you could ever do that would cause us to disown you. I think we all knew you weren't meant for Slytherin. I assumed you would have gotten into Ravenclaw, but I am sure you will do great in Gryffindor. Just remember this; there is a difference in being brave and being reckless. You can be brave and be safe at the same time. It is okay to be a little cunning, to think before you act. In my experience, Gryffindors do not always do that.

About your mother, I do not know what to tell you, except that it is your choice. If you wish to write her, then write. I am not going to stop you or tell you cannot. I will say not to expect too much from her. I do not want to see you get hurt if she doesn't put any effort into the relationship. I will not be mad if you wish to seek her out.

I am glad that you like your classes, pay attention to what the teachers say. Some of the things that they are teaching you are dangerous if you do not follow the instructions properly. Your Head of House had a problem doing that in potions class. He would melt at least a cauldron a week. I remember another student who blew things up because he rushed his charms. So, do your readings and homework and I know you will do amazing.

Miss Potter is probably right. People are shocked about you being in Gryffindor. Don't let them get to you. Just keep focused on school, and if they start to harass you, then let a prefect know or your Head of House. Be sneaky about that stinging hex I thought you. You can get detention and lose points if you get caught hexing other students. Keep close to the Potter girl and your brother if it gets too bad.

Tipsy misses you. She misses you reading to her, especially. She has sent lemon squares and some of your favorite cookie dough fudge. I included a bag of sugar quills and pumpkin pasties. Minx should be good for this month. Her treats and a few toys should be in there. Try not to let her scare your dorm mates. Most have probably never seen a full grown Savannah cat.

I love and miss you,

Papa

PS: Let me know if you need anything else.