Hey everyone!

Happy New Year! Yes I know it's February but I was struck down with a virus for much of January a a fair few other issues and things so I'm saying my 2020 starts this month. I finally feel like myself again and am hoping to get back to writing ad just catching up on everything I lost in Januray. Enjoy the update.

Lots of love,

LM xxxx

Hidden Child-Part 64:

Lyra and Jasmine received notes and they headed to Dumbledore's office wondering what was going on as they ascended the winding staircase to the Headmaster's office. Lyra knocking on the door first and then being told to enter.

She walked in with Jasmine behind her and gasped as she saw an extremely unhappy Astrid stood one side of the desk and…

"Mother, father… what are you two doing here?" Lyra asked as she saw her parents looking at her.

"Take a seat you two," Dumbledore said to the newcomers and the two sat down, "I have summoned your parents after learning that there appears to be a dorm war going on. Young Mr. Malfoy immediately went to Professor Snape and then summoned your parents Lyra before the three came to me. Astrid did you put this snake into Lyra's bed?"

"Don't be silly Headmaster. Where would I get a live snake from?" Astrid replied, "what else has the liar been telling you?" Lyra scoffed,

"Of course you'll deny everything," she said, "always acting Miss Innocent aren't you?"

"Lyra…" Narcissa warned.

"Well…" Jasmine said, "as well as the snake in the bed there has also been trying to sabotage Lyra's cauldron, her potion ingredients, stealing her books so she's had to borrow ones from the library, spilling her ink pots on the floor…" she stopped as she saw that Dumbledore had a hand in the air.

"Well it seems like this is a pretty intense war. Lyra and Jasmine clearly haven't risen to it either as I've received no reports from the ghosts of the girls retaliating," he said.

"Well of course they won't. Lyra isn't stupid and has more important things to worry about," Narcissa said, "this appears quite petty from a Pureblood witch. Why are you doing it Astrid? Are you jealous of Lyra somehow?"

"Jealous of her? Oh no. This is more about Jasmine and the fact that she betrayed me by going to the female St. Potter's side," Astrid spoke spitefully, "why would anyone want to be friends with her?"

"Maybe because she is kind, caring and doesn't see anyone as evil or spoilt like you do," Jasmine said, "she's been far kinder to me than you have."

Dumbledore had remained silent just observing the three students and wondering what could be done to help Lyra and Jasmine get away from the clearly toxic atmosphere that they were now in.

"Perhaps, given the circumstances, it would be better if Lyra and Jasmine changed dorms. It's unheard of but, for safety reasons, it might be the best solution," Dumbledore said.

"You cannot change dorms in the middle of the year. I'll call an end to the dorm war," Astrid said, "changing dorms is unheard of."

"I do not believe a word that you have said in the past two minutes," Lucius said, "you strike me as a spoilt, selfish girl who is clearly an only child and gets everything she wants, when she wants. I will ensure whatever is needed to protect my daughter is done. The same as any father would when dealing with someone like you."

"Lucius!" Narcissa gasped, "remember that she is just a child."

"A child who is cunning enough to play tricks and attempt to injure our daughter with a snake Narcissa," Lucius reminded her, "a snake that somehow had to be smuggled into Hogwarts Castle. Therefore she is old enough to face the truth of her actions as well."

"You cannot protect me forever father," came Lyra's voice, "I know I am your little girl but you cannot keep protecting me forever. Now if you'll excuse us Jasmine and I must start to pack our things up," she said before she and Jasmine were dismissed.

"Miss Astrid can go to Professor McGonagall's office and start her detentions now," Dumbledore said as he looked at the witch. Astrid just glared at the Headmaster before storming out of the office.

"OK so maybe I was a little hard on the girl but she really needs to learn that actions have consequences," Lucius said, "if she's old enough to know how to smuggle a snake into Hogwarts Castle then she's old enough to hear the words I say to her. Headmaster I trust that Lyra and Jasmine will be moved as soon as it is possible."

"Yes they will Lucius. As early as tonight if I can make the arrangements," the Headmaster said as he looked at the husband and wife, "but you have some words to think about from your daughter."

Lucius sighed. He had been expecting that at some point. Dumbledore never missed a trick, no matter how old he was.

"I have to keep her alive until she can forfill her destiny. The future of the world rests in her hands and she has to stay alive until that day," Lucius said, "I will do whatever I can to protect her and keep her alive. I will not let our world fall into darkness because I did not protect my daughter."

"But there's protecting her and then suffocating her Lucius," Dumbledore said as he looked at the father, "clearly she is feeling suffocated and unable to find her way in the world because you are always there to save her. It's not just about keeping her alive… it's about allowing her to grow and make mistakes and make sure that she doesn't et herself killed. Somehow I think that last one won't happen. She's as smart as you are Narcissa. She may have been raised in secret but she certainly is smart."

"She was learning spells before she even got her wand Dumbledore. Her wand is virtually the same as mine," Narcissa said, "basic spells she had by the time she was 8-years-old. If I had wanted to she'd know every spell taught up until Fourth Year."

"I had my suspicions that you had something to do with it all," Dumbledore said, "you were almost a Ravenclaw. Wasn't it around the age of eight that you suspected she was the child of the prophecy?"

"Yes and I wasn't taking any chances," Narcissa said, "now, if you'll excuse us, Lucius and I must be heading off," she said before rising and heading to the fireplace.

Dumbledore already knew not to underestimate the Malfoys but even more so after the encounter he'd just had with them.