Disclaimer: I own nothing. JK Rowling owns everything.

A/N: I promise Lyra will actually appear coherent in this chapter. Not loving the previous one myself but hopefully this makes up for it.

I'm so sorry for not updating, I didn't forget but my life is somewhat everywhere right now. And sorry for the mild continuity errors. I've fixed what I could find but if anyone spots anything, I would be forever grateful. Knowing what happens in chapter 8 during the prefect patrolling will sort of help but probably not. I'm even a little confused by this.

Does anyone else get this overwhelming sense of achievement when you're able to tie up a plot hole? It feels good.

Chapter Nine

Wednesday 26th May 1976

Wednesday morning had been a surprise for Lyra. She felt miles better than the day before, where her condition seemed to vary between never-walking-up to never-sleeping-again. There wasn't much physically wrong with her apart from a broken arm, so Madam Pomfrey decided, once she was assured the girl wouldn't collapse in a heap on the floor the minute she stood, she was allowed to leave on the condition that she rest at every opportunity she had.

And that she avoid playing Quidditch for the next three to four months.

Of course this wasn't the most pleasant news to hear and internally Lyra was ready to punch Madam Pomfrey square in the nose, but she held it back and walked to the Slytherin dungeon, meeting no one on her way, and thanking whoever made that possible.

She headed straight for her own bed inside the Fifth Year girls dormitory, with the intention of questioning Christine why she didn't visit her but let Sirius to when she woke up later that evening. But Lyra knew well enough that after ten minutes of tossing and turning that she wouldn't be able to fall asleep at eleven o'clock in the morning.

The weather had looked overcast when she made her way to the dungeon but Lyra decided she needed some air and the Slytherin Common Room was the last place to be. She grabbed her jacket, which was much warmer than her cloak, and she was injured after all, if anyone asked why she was out of uniform. She struggled the jacket on, slipping her left arm through and letting the other sleeve dangle against her right, still set against her chest in a sling. Certainly, there were ways to fix broken bones with all sorts of remedies and Madam Pomfrey knew them. But Dark Magic was not susceptible to any old concoction and so Lyra was going to have to let her arm heal the old-fashioned way.

With her coat as on as it was going to be and a Slytherin scarf wrapped around her tightly, she walked up to the ground floor and towards the her spot by the lake where everything had started. Outside it looked like the beginnings of rain but it was fresh, unpolluted air and that was what she needed. She never understood why Muggles in London liked their air thick and dense when they could be much healthier if they didn't use those contraptions they called cars, which made noise and spewed black smoke behind them. But then again, everyone in London was in a rush somewhere.

Crossing the hill towards the lake, Lyra could see that she wouldn't be alone after all. James Potter was sitting in the exact same position he had found her in almost one week ago. He was in his school trousers and shirt, with his jumper nowhere to be seen. Usually Lyra never looked twice at the boy but, in this weather, she couldn't help but be a little concerned for his sanity. She sat down beside him and ignored his shocked face as he took in her presence. She let him speak first.

"How… how are you feeling?" No 'Black' or crude comment. Lyra was partially dazed by the changing voice of James.

"Not good, not bad. My arm hurts but that's it really. I heard you visited." Lyra said, turning finally to acknowledge the boy. He nodded and coughed.

"Eh, yeah I did. I just wanted to see how you were, you know. Chaser to chaser."

"There's not going to be any more chaser to chaser James." She called him James. "Pomfrey said three to four months but that's only if a miracle happens and my arm sets in the most perfect position. We know that won't happen without some magic. And magic isn't going to work this time around."

He nodded; he knew what she was going to say. "No more Quidditch?"

"No more Quidditch," she sighed and look to the grass. The finality of the situation was yet to sink in but she knew she could move on. There was so much more to life than Quidditch, despite what Christine believed.

"Dumbledore made an announcement the other day about it. Said they were taking extra precautions because of the whole thing, but I'm guessing Pomfrey told you that. Aurors probably. Personally I think it was an inside job," with Lyra's sharp glare he added, "not that anyone would want to kill you." James let out a small laugh but Lyra didn't join him. He gave up and they sat in silence for a little longer.

"Sirius visited," she said, finally breaking the silence.

"I saw him yesterday. But only briefly. I've been trying to come to terms with everything. I've barely spoken to anyone in the past three days, not even Remus or Peter, and I've probably only been to two classes."

"I thought you two were attached at the hip. You haven't seen him since yesterday. Did you two fall out and that's why I have become your firewhiskey drinking partner?" Lyra addressed the elephant in the non-existent room. "Stop worrying James, none of this was your fault."

"I know it wasn't. I know someone attacked you. The school knows that. But I feel like the catalyst though, you know?"

"The what?"

James laughed, "Sorry, it's a word Remus taught me. It means that everything was in place for you to fall, but I was the reason you did. Without me being an idiot and trying to get you to drop the Quaffle, you would be walking around here with an unbroken arm, the trophy in your cabinet and the Slytherin captaincy to your name."

"And you'd be ignoring me like you usual do and acting all high and mighty, but secretly excited because you can upgrade your stupid greeting to 'captain to captain'. I'll see you later James. Get to class. And talk to your friend's maybe."

Lyra stood and fixed her scarf then walked back towards the castle entrance. James didn't turn to look at her. His mind was too cloudy with possibly reasons for her attack to see Professor Slughorn appear at the door and delivery some news, which the irritated girl nodded at and shrugged, then followed the Professor inside the castle.


"Lyra dear! How are you feeling? Are they treating you well? Do I need to organise anything in St Mungo's?" Cygnus Black greeted his youngest daughter as she walked through the door in Professor Dumbledore's office. He tried to hug her but her arm and annoyance at her father's presence meant he got a smile and a shrug of 'what can you do?' before following her to the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk. The Headmaster took is seat and looked at his two guests, taking in their very different expressions, before beginning.

"Lyra, how are you feeling? I haven't properly spoken to you since the incident. Madam Pomfrey was delighted with your healing but I understand you are under some strict rules to adhere from playing Quidditch for the time being," he said to her, hoping to settle her before he continued with his news.

"I'm feeling much better Sir. My arm doesn't hurt too much but Madam Pomfrey said it has to heal the non-magical way and that it might be an end to my Quidditch career," Lyra answered, directing it only to Dumbledore. Her father's presence was irritating her more than she cared to admit.

"Good. Well obviously, that's not why I have summoned you here. As Madam Pomfrey has told you, you were attacked by Dark Magic. That is why your arm can't be healed by any potion. You were only released this morning but the student body has been informed of the sort of attack that took place," at this point he was addressing both of the occupants of the chairs. "Although I don't want to cause offence here, your own family has been known for having certain interests in the Dark Arts," Lyra notably tensed, "however, I do believe the attack was not done by someone who is a supporter of this movement outside the castle. This most certainly was a student attacking a fellow student. I don't know who or why but there will be Aurors brought to the castle to begin their search for suspicious activity."

"I hope only the best are on the case, Professor Dumbledore?" asked Cygnus. As a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, he knew just how capable and incapable some of the Aurors could be.

"Of course, Cygnus. Lyra, "he turned his full attention to the girl who had remained silent throughout the headmaster's talk, "I want you to be on full guard. Report absolutely anything you see to the nearest professor. You are so vulnerable right now; we cannot ignore the fact that you of all people were attacked. If you feel unsafe, you have enough reason to ask either Professor Slughorn or I to remove you form certain activities for the remainder of the year. You are still required to sit your OWLs and you are not permitted to avoid compulsory lessons. However, your safety is our biggest concern at the moment." Lyra nodded in response, but her mind was racing. Was it because of her name that she was attacked? Wasn't she supposed to be safe here? Was it because she didn't follow in Bella's footsteps that someone was out to get her?

The meeting was ended and her father left her outside the office door, promising to send her a letter every week for the remainder of the year. He said that outside the train at the start of each year, and he was still yet to go through with his promise. Lyra had long ago stopped expecting things from her parents. Even Narcissa received some sort of attention when she was in school. Everything about Lyra was boring. She didn't conform to her parents ideals but wasn't rebellious enough for them to hate her.

She just kind of existed.


Monday 24th May 1976

After Lily had recovered from the incredibly odd encounter between her and James, she kept her mouth shut for the whole day. She skipped the entire day and spent the time until her friends emerged from their classes sitting in the common room reading. Her mind was all over the place but she kept her focus on the book, trying to erase the encounter from her mind. She knew realistically that was impossible, but she powered through the random book that had been left on the coffee table.

Once classes had finished, the Gryffindor years gradually started to fill the Common Room. She kept her eye out for James, but as Sirius Black entered talking to Marlene, she realised that James was nowhere to be seen. She had run into him at twelve, she should have realised that there was no way he would have returned to class. For now, the boy was MIA. She smiled at Sirius as he said bye to Marlene and the blonde took her seat beside her and began to talk. Lily wasn't able to concentrate on her friend's conversation. She decided she needed to have a talk with a certain Slytherin boy.

Tuesday 25th May 1976

After class on Tuesday, Lily walked out of Potions with Remus. The two were patrolling later that night so they kept their talking to small. She avoided any mention of James, including why he was absent from all the classes they shared, which was most of them, and why Remus hadn't actually said anything.

She walked up the stairs with Marlene to the dorm and waited for the girl to change and grab her Potions notes.

"I'm going to look for Severus. And then I have prefect rounds so don't wait for me. Tell the girls I'll see them tomorrow," and without waiting for Marlene's response, she was down the stairs and out the portrait hole.

Her and Severus had remained friends throughout their school years at Hogwarts, but as time went by, and the divide between the houses stayed as strong as ever, their friendship was testing the limits. Lily wasn't ready to let go of what they had, but she only had Marlene to fall back on when it came to the Gryffindor girls in her year. Marlene was nice and sweet, but they never shared secrets or stayed up all night talking. Everything was polite with her.

Lily made it to the ground floor of the castle and began to walk. Although Severus was seen as somewhat of an outcast by most of his year, he tended to be seen with one Christophe Mulciber. A vile human being if there ever was one. The Slytherin boys had designated one particular corner of castle as their own. It was near the Middle Courtyard, by the staircase that lead to the Common Room. If you needed to find one of them, they were generally here. They would idle around this particular spot after class before being shooed off by one of the teachers.

Lily spotted the tall frame and dark hair of Mulciber at the end of the corridor and moved slowly down, without drawing any attention to herself, until she spotted Severus amongst the group of Slytherin students, not all of whom were in there year. Severus looked extremely out of place but caught Lily's eye as she drew nearer. She signalled for him to follow her and he quietly slipped from the group without Mulciber noticing, as he seemed to be heading the conversation.

Before he reached the witch, he could already see the anger in her eyes.

"What did you do to James Potter?" she spat at him as they walked away from the group and towards the staircase she had just came down. She stopped by a window ledge and turned to face the boy's bemused face. "James Potter. What did you do to him?"

"I did nothing. What's wrong with you Lily?" Severus answered, trying to make his voice sound more genuine than he could muster, but it failed as he still managed to come across as a shy scarecrow of some sort.

"Oh nothing is wrong with me Severus. But yesterday morning I ran into a rather upset James who then proceeded to ignore me and walk away. And God knows you two can have a fight. So what happened?" she asked again, keeping her voice steady the whole time. She didn't need to cause a fight between them.

"Lily, why do you care about James Potter? He's been nothing sort of an irritating sod to you. He needs to be broken down a few times." He said this as Sirius Black rushed round the corner she just came from, looking flustered and frustrated. They locked eyes and Lily knew whom she really should have been talking to.

"Because he is out classmate. I know he hates you and irritates me but I don't want you stooping to that level, please don't try to fight against him. You're just fuelling the fire." She hugged him and told him she'd see him tomorrow after Defence Against the Dark Arts.

It had just gone 6 p.m., which meant there was only a half an hour of dinner left. Lily knew she had to find the boy and hoped he had taken a different route down to the Great Hall. As she entered, though she couldn't help but be disappointed. Peter Pettigrew and Colin Robbins sat along with Mary McDonald and Joan Keys, both her own roommates. Even Remus had not appeared at the dinner table. She sat with the four, making small talk about OWLs and the end of term. Neither Peter nor Colin made any mention as to where the boys were. She finished earlier than the rest and excused herself. She stood from her seat and quickly glanced over to the Slytherin table, only seeing Dominic Avery and Christine Drakefoot. Still no Lyra she thought…

She slowly walk upstairs, asking a few housemates that she ran in to on the way whether they had seen him or not. The last sighting documented was an hour previous so she decided to stay on the bottom floor, to see if Severus and the rest of his fellow Slytherin's had stayed around their sacred corner.

To her surprise, she ran into the one person she needed to see, a much more relaxed Sirius Black.

"Evans," he nodded at her as she walked towards him from the Viaduct entrance.

"Wait, Sirius, can I… eh can I have a minute."

The boy look utterly surprised and stopped walking immediately. It wasn't every day Lily Evans wanted to talk to him. And it was almost never her starting the conversation.

"Sure, what does Miss Prefect want?" he said, trying to keep his voice light.

"Before I say this, do not call me that again, and I would appreciate if this stays between us," she waited for him to nod before finally saying, "What's wrong with James?"

To say Sirius looked stunned would be an understatement. His eyebrows rose by about an inch and his jaw had fallen slightly. "Has Lily Evans finally given in?" he asked, not quelling his utter surprise. "Last week he was an arrogant sod who couldn't play Quidditch for love nor money, now you want to know about his personal life. I think I can smell a proposal after OWLs!"

Lily ignored Sirius comments and tried to prevent the blush that she felt throughout her body rising on to her cheeks. "I mean, why is he being so distant lately?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Evans. Now if you don't mind, my brother –."

"I saw him crying yesterday, Sirius."

He looked at her and his grey eyes met her green. She wasn't lying. He could tell.

"What do you mean 'crying'? Like tears?"

"No dolphins. Of course tears! On the First Floor. I walked over to him and he just walked off without a word. And don't pretend like you don't notice it. You live with him for crying out loud! He has been in none of our classes in the past two days."

Sirius sighed and look back towards the Viaduct but Lily didn't follow his gaze. "He feels guilty, is all. He knows he isn't really the culprit of Lyra's fall and that but…" He trailed off but Lily realised she had missed an entire part of the school news.

"Sirius, what exactly happened at the final?" she asked, sitting against the ledge she had lectured Severus from and hour and a half before.

Sirius told her the entire story. By the time he finished everything, including his visit to Lyra and what James had told him about visiting her, he had admitted to knowing about the tears and his own feelings about everything that had happened.

"I think it's time to put the childish stuff behind us," Sirius finally said as Lily checked her watch, 20 minutes to prefect patrols. "I tell everyone she's evil and like the rest of my family, but I know she puts up that appearance because she's scared."

"She didn't seem too scared when she charmed my telescope to set fire in Astronomy in Third Year," Lily retorted as she stood.

Sirius laughed lightly and sighed, "She's too scared to pick a side you know. She has a conscience so the Dark Arts won't be a welcoming place, but she's not rebellious enough to break away from the family. Even I'll admit to being a little haughty at times."

"At times? Sirius Black, a single strand of your hair is more arrogant than half of Gryffindor!" she jumped down off the window ledge and started to walk towards the staircase. "Prefect rounds. I mustn't keep Mr Lupin waiting. I hope everything works out Sirius." She began to walk briskly up the stairs.

Sirius took one last look at the Viaduct entrance and noticing the figure in the doorway, he waited for it to join him before the two walked the stairs together.

Lily rounded the corner to the portrait hole just in time to see Remus Lupin emerge from the Common Room.

"Hi Lily," he greeted her with a friendly smile. She hugged him, platonically of course, and smiled back as if they hadn't seen each other hours before. He looked tired and pale but she said nothing.

"Miss me much?" she asked as they began to walk the familiar route.