Magic in the Moonlight
CHAPTER Thirty Eight
Entering the Malfoy mansion, they were greeted by a house-elf who took her long coat and led the pair towards the lounge, announcing that Narcissa Malfoy would join them in a moment. Rather than sitting down to wait, Lyra merely stood with her arms crossed wishing to be elsewhere. Severus noted this with some amusement, her stance oddly stiff and vaguely reminiscent of a deer ready to bolt although there was no fear in her stiff form, more annoyance and wariness. Clearly she was not close with her distant relatives. It didn't help that as she looked around the familiar layout, that she recalled the last time she had been in that building.
"Why did you have to persuade me to come?" she finally groaned, pulling a face at him.
"If I remember correctly you did not need much persuading," he shot back with a scowl but she only stuck her tongue out at him childishly.
Really, no one would believe she was over thirty years old, thirty-seven to be exact with a birthday upcoming soon if he recalled correctly.
It wasn't long before a feminine figure made her way towards them, almost gliding down the large winding staircase and into the room with a similar feel of agitation around her as Lyra. The woman was around her height if not a little shorter, her long dark hair also had a stripe of white however it looked more natural and her hair appeared to be greying somewhat unlike Lyra's that managed to retain its dark colour. Narcissa Malfoy looked between Severus and Lyra, the older witch looking almost as tense as the other present witch despite the fact she had asked to meet her.
"Narcissa," Lyra decided to speak first, merely acknowledging her.
"Lyra," the Malfoy woman returned, standing tall still but looking deflated at the barely hinted hostility in Lyra's tone, "I did not ask you hear to start anything. I do not share my husband's…desire to taunt or tease you."
Arching an eyebrow, Lyra still did not let her crossed arms drop, a few meters between them, "then why did you ask me here? I'd have thought everyone after my grandfather pretty much hated us for not following in the Dark Arts."
"Not necessarily," she quickly quipped, "and when there are very few of us left we cannot choose to be picky about family…even if you are a…"
Stiffening, Lyra narrowed her eyes, "what? Werewolf? Blood traitor? Target of Voldemort's? Take your pick there's plenty more I'm sure you could label me as."
Narcissa Malfoy visibly flinched at the last one before sighing, clearly the conversation was not going according to plan and instead she tried a different tactic, smiling slightly at Severus.
"Thank you for coming Severus, will you join us for dinner?"
"I seem to have been left little choice," he admitted in a drawl, trying to sound disinterested and bored despite how curious he in fact was.
The smile did not fade as she looked back at Lyra and motioned to the next room, "I'm sorry if I may have offended you Lyra, but if you would give me a moment I will explain why I asked for you. At least allow me to treat you like a guest."
Fighting off the urge to refuse, she tried to be civil and merely nodded, not trusting her voice as she followed the witch into the dining room, closely followed by Severus who shot her a look, clearly ordering her to behave herself. Shooting him a scowl back in return, she was seated on the rather large table, Severus opposite her while Narcissa sat at the head two seats down. Lyra was surprised to see the young Malfoy appear, looking somewhat shocked to see them there also before quietly sitting himself at the table. She wondered if Narcissa had told him to be on his best behaviour. The meal was impressive, delivered by house-elves as to be expected of the Malfoy mansion, and the conversation was subtle, mostly between Narcissa and Severus, Lyra inputting something every so often but never speaking more than a few words until Narcissa suddenly brought up last year.
"I heard that you were teaching Duelling last year at Hogwarts, Draco was one of your students wasn't he?"
Lyra looked between mother and son, noticing how he was avoiding her look much to her amusement and for good reason. Once she had caught him about ready to cast a spell that she had not instructed, and judging from what she had claimed from his mind when she had locked eyes with the boy, they had not been harmless jinxes he had been about the cast.
"Yes he was," she finally answered, "he's a quick learner and a talented boy," she didn't miss how Narcissa's smile seemed to brighten until she added, "he would be even better if he had not tried to use a few choice spells his father no doubt taught him."
Draco looked up sharply, a look of horror in his eyes as he looked to his mother who was frowning at him. It seemed at least Narcissa was not overly fond of the idea of her son using dark magic against those at Hogwarts. Feeling a little sympathetic even though she shouldn't have, she tried to soften the blow.
"If it had been any other teacher they would have probably had him expelled, however I give out second chances as long as it does not happen again."
The smile returned somewhat to Narcissa's face as she inclined her head, "thank you Lyra, I'm sure Draco will not squander a second chance."
Waving a hand, she couldn't help but remark, "its fine, I just so happen to have known a boy just like him at that age."
She didn't miss how Severus stiffened before shooting her an icy glare across the table, probably only the company stopped him from cursing her. Lyra couldn't help but giggle quietly. The older witch smiled, eyeing up the two curiously and yet the calculative gleam in her eyes did not go unnoticed to either of them.
With the meal over, Draco quickly vanished to try and retain some dignity, but it left the three adults in the living room once again, sipping drinks although Lyra was once again wishing to return to Grimmauld Place.
"You still haven't told me what you wanted to talk to me about?" Lyra finally piped up after she finished her glass, "I'm sure it wasn't just to feed me and ask about Draco's duelling skills."
"Yes…yes you are quite right," Narcissa sighed, setting her glass down before rising from her seat, "wait here a moment."
Watching the older witch leave the dining room, Lyra immediately looked to Severus warily.
"Are you sure this isn't a trap?" she asked quietly.
He didn't seem put off by her question, rather instead he rose from his seat to stand by the mantelpiece. It almost looked like he was ignoring her but she knew what he was doing as he muttered quietly under his breath.
"I detect no hidden spells or charms that could possibly detain you," Severus finally admitted, "as far as I am aware she merely wishes to speak with you."
"Hmm," Lyra pulled a face only slightly comforted by his words before joining his side to speak quietly in case there were ears about the place, "if something did go south, just be yourself Sev. I don't want you getting in trouble because of me."
He shot her a look before scoffing, "you forget that I was the one to bring you here," he drawled quietly before turning his eyes back to the empty fireplace.
She knew what he meant with those words, if she was captured then everyone from the Order would doubt his true allegiance, and if he did anything to help her resist then he would be doubted by the Death Eaters. It pained Lyra that he was in such a predicament, balanced precariously between two sides that would cast him down as soon as he appeared more to one side than the other. Even now when things had only just begun, the effects of the inner battle were becoming visible in Severus' hardening eyes, a cold mask of indifference more common on his face than usual.
Lyra couldn't resist reaching out, lightly grasping his arm once more. Black eyes met hers questioningly but before he could ask what she was doing she had already begun speaking.
"I'm with you Sev," she all but whispered, soft grey eyes practically searing him, "if things ever get too much, I'm here."
Trust her to be thinking of someone else rather than her own plight. She should have been worrying about her own possible capture but instead she stood there comforting him, worrying about him. His jaw tightened before quickly looking away, drawing his arm back.
"I do not need your help."
Despite what he said Lyra couldn't help but smile lightly, "when has that ever stopped me?"
"You are truly a meddlesome woman," Severus almost growled but there was a quiet tone of something that made her smile brighten.
The door to the dining room opened once more and quickly Lyra stepped away from Severus, giving them plenty of distance so as not to arise question. Narcissa returned, her dark eyes evaluating the pair for a moment whilst clutching a small velvet bag in her hands.
"Thank you for waiting, I had half expected you to leave before I returned," she admitted wryly.
"I haven't quite had the reason to do so, yet," Lyra replied coolly before sitting once more just as Narcissa did.
Nodding in acknowledgement, the older witch smiled slightly, "despite what you may think of me and my family, I have not asked you here to lure you in or attack you. As I'm sure you are aware times are changing very quickly and…I wished to give you this before things change completely."
Frowning, Lyra eyed up the velvet pouch as it was held out to her. Her Auror training told her to check it completely for curses before even so much as touching it however a smaller part of her reached out to take it. She could almost feel Severus stiffen off to the side as if thinking the same as her but as her fingers touched the velvet, nothing happened. Something jingled inside making her arch he eyebrow curiously at the woman who watched her closely.
"Your mother and I were close once before," Narcissa cleared her throat, looking almost a little unsure of her words as she glanced at Severus, clearly not wanting anything that was about to be said, repeated to the Dark Lord, "and despite everything I truly am sorry for what happened to your parents."
Curiosity burned inside the Auror now as she slipped her hand into the bag only to meet cool metal. Pulling out the object she almost couldn't believe her eyes at the silver bracelet that looked very much like the one on her own wrist, completed with a crescent moon charm.
"How did you get this?" Lyra asked almost breathlessly.
Narcissa looked over at Severus once more who had been watching all too intently for her liking, and offered a small smile.
"Could you leave us a moment Severus?"
Said man arched an eyebrow curiously but knew the reason she had asked him to leave. Lightly inclining his head, he begrudgingly left the dining room until only the two women were left seated.
"It was your mother's…she sent it to me the day of her death," Narcissa explained quickly clearly not wanting to sound like she had stolen it, "I believe it was her way of letting me know that she forgave me for the side I had chosen," she spoke with a dark, far off look in her eyes that almost looked something akin to sadness, "she always had been a kind witch, seeing the best in others when even they thought there was nothing of the sort inside of them, something I hear, you too share. Meena had always suggested that she would send me the bracelet so that if I had a daughter, I could pass it along with the hope that our families would re-join. I had always thought her to be joking but when it arrived on the day that I knew the Dark Lord had gone to them, I realised that she had not and that bracelet carried with it her hope and wishes…even until the end."
Lyra couldn't believe it but as she clutched the silver bracelet in her hand tightly, she knew that it was indeed her mother's without a doubt. She wasn't sure to be more astounded by that or by Narcissa's words. Of course she had wanted Severus to leave because her words would have sounded almost traitorous to a Death Eater. So why did she risk to say them to her now?
"Why have you given me this?" the female Auror asked quietly, grey eyes searching the older witch's curiously, "and why are you telling me this?"
Narcissa clasped her hands in front of her, closing her eyes for a moment as if preparing herself before meeting her gaze evenly, despite her aging face her eyes looked young and almost fierce; like a mother willing to do anything.
"Despite all that you may think of me, I am not content with how things are changing. My husband is too deep into the Dark Lord's circle and my son…I would not have Draco follow this path. That bracelet was your mother's way of letting me know that she was still with me, and I want you to think the same. I may not be able to do much, but where I can, I shall help you," her hands clasped tighter together, "for Meena who never gave up on me."
Struck silent by the powerful admission she had just heard, Lyra didn't know what to say for a moment. Narcissa Malfoy, husband to one of Voldemort's followers and amongst his inner circle, had suggested that she would help her against said Dark Lord. She would risk herself for the memory of her mother that Lyra clasped in her hand.
"Thank you Narcissa," Lyra finally spoke quietly, "forgive me though for being somewhat speculative of your words."
Oddly enough this made the woman smile somewhat, "I would be surprised to have heard anything else," before she rose from her seat, "but please remember my words and I swear at the time you have need, I will do all that I can."
Upon returning to Grimmauld Place it was to find a party in full swing. Lyra smiled warmly as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching the Weasleys and company celebrate, clearly Harry had won his trial as she knew he would. Said teenager was stood amongst friends, grinning before he spotted her.
"All the charges dropped!" he announced as he hugged her to which she gratefully returned.
"That's brilliant Harry, I knew you would."
He seemed to notice something was wrong in her tone as his green eyes looked up at her confused. They were Lily's eyes, surrounded by James' spectacles and messy black hair. What family did she really have? No parents, not even grandparents as they had all died years ago, all those she was truly related to were Molly and her distant relations such as Sirius. But at least she had friends and Harry…he was like her family now, they all were she supposed.
"Is something wrong?" he asked with a worried frown.
Smiling slightly, she ruffled his hair affectionately, "I'm fine, go on, you carry on celebrating. Where did Molly go off to anyway?"
"I think she just nipped upstairs for some reason," he answered before being carted away by Ron.
Sitting down at the table, Lyra grabbed a passing glass of Firewhiskey as it hovered past before almost downing it in one mouthful.
"Bad day?"
She looked up to see Remus looking at her for the first time in the last three days, a small and oddly nervous smile on his face as if not sure about what she would do or say but ready for anything. Smiling slightly, she nodded, pouring herself another drink.
"It's certainly been a strange sort of day, I'm just glad to be home."
The smile brightened on his face, his hazel eyes shining with warmth for some reason as she said those words. Maybe it was because she classed that place, with all of them in it, home? Either way it made her smile a little more before tapping her glass to his.
"To terrible days."
"And the ones to look forward to," he remarked with an oddly mischievous grin that she recognised from her teenage years.
About to question his grin they were all interrupted as Molly suddenly screamed from one of the rooms above.
"Molly!"
They raced upstairs, Arthur at the head before they barged into the room they had been cleaning all day. The desk that had held the Boggart from before was now open and judging by the weeping Molly it had shown her, her greatest fears. Lyra felt herself stop in the doorway as Arthur hurried to his wife's side, the Boggart had turned into a horrid picture of death, the Weasley family, Lyra and Harry in the centre of it. It was a strange thing to see her own dead body amongst the others. Feeling a hand suddenly grip hers, she didn't need to look sideways to know that it was Remus. Squeezing his hand back lightly, Lyra took a shuddering breath as she stepped forwards.
"Someone please get rid of it," Arthur looked up at those gathered, his voice strained but his arms protectively around his still sobbing wife.
Molly had fallen to her fears but it was time Lyra began to face her own.
"You should have waited for me Molly," she soothed her cousin before standing in front of them drawing the Boggart's attention to her, inwardly cringing as the eyes of the dead fell on her.
It began to change, the bodies vanishing as Lyra drew her wand knowing what was coming, she only wished she had been alone when it changed into a rather familiar man. Behind her she could hear Remus sucking in his breath as he managed a glimpse at himself sprawled across the floor. Despite her shaking hand Lyra flourished her wand.
"Ridikulus!" she almost stuttered, feeling glad when he suddenly turned into an overexcited puppy that bound around in circles before darting back into the desk, the lock clicking back into place after it.
Taking a steadying breath, she stowed her wand before lightly patting her cousin's shoulder as she passed, not even daring to look up at Remus as she left the room and its silent occupants, only Molly's hushed tears falling could be heard.
With the abrupt ending of the party everyone fell into a somewhat sombre mood before deciding it a good time to retire to bed. Lyra too figured it was a good time to go to bed, feeling rather tired with the approaching full moon. She said nothing to Remus about what had happened and neither had he but Lyra knew he had not expected it. Part of her dreaded to know what he was thinking at that moment…that her greatest fear was the death of those she cared about like Molly, or in particular, him. It wasn't that she didn't fear the deaths of the others as much, it was more that the idea of his death haunted her the most after her vision. Lyra was going to try all she could to make that future not happen.