Every now and then Lyra would see Draco in the halls, but he stopped coming to their shared classes and by the time Saturday rolled around she hadn't seen him at all in three days. She sat on the grand staircase and watched some Prefects assist Hagrid in bringing trees into the castle for the Christmas decorations. The large man carried three trees easily and pairs of Prefects carried in three more. Lyra watched as garland appeared with the colors of all four houses as more Prefects waved their wands gently towards the walls. She enjoyed the castle halls as they basically decked themselves.
"So it is true!" Ban gasped as he plopped beside his sister. "You are going on a date with McLaggen."
"Only because you're going to the Christmas Party with Hermione." His eyebrows shot up. "And it's not a date."
"You're kidding, she only asked me to make Ron mad." He shrugged and offered her a grape which she happily accepted. "Never would have guessed."
"Couldn't you just-" she wiggled her fingers and Ban laughed.
"I showed a few people how to shut me out and it has slowly been spreading. Which is great for me, because now I don't have to know about any weird wet dreams my roommates are having." He watched his sister eat half a sandwich slowly, "That the only thing you've had?"
"Yogurt too." She was watching the prefects wave their wands and string lights over the trees.
"The only downside to the cerebral lockout is I'm lacking in the gossip department, and you know I'm a sucker for secrets." He leant forward and rested his head on Lyra's knee. Ban smiled devilishly, drunk on the superiority he felt with his stolen knowledge. "Wanna know some secrets."
"I'm good. I already know too many secrets for my own good."
"But this ones is juicy." Ban wiggled his eyebrows.
She licked the peanut butter from her fingers and wiped the crumbs off on her skirt and onto her brother. "I'll bite."
"Ginny and Dean-"
"I'm actually extremely good. Thanks." She frowned, not wanting to think about him, Ban laughed.
"-she's breaking things off as we speak."
"And how do you-"
"Dean didn't want me to teach him." He smiled up at his sister, "And I am tuned into them. They're arguing right now, it's like watching a telenovela. They're always fighting or making out." Lyra rolled her eyes. "I think he didn't want me to tech him because he wanted me to know about the break up and that he still really likes you."
"I'm not that fond of him anymore."
"Well aware." Ban raked a hand through his hair and flashed a smile at a few underclassmen as they walked up the stairs. The girls giggled and the boys following them sneered at her brother. "And besides. If you were to do anything it would make it pretty awkward over Christmas." Ban clicked his tongue and winked at a Ravenclaw Prefect who got flustered and dropped his wand.
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't I tell you?" He inclined chin to stare back up at his sister, "Ron invited us. Well actually it was more his mom. Mrs. Weasley said something about his friends always having a home for Christmas. Anyways we're going to spend the break at the Ron's."
"Why?" Lyra groaned.
"I thought you would be excited?" Lyra shifted and Ban leant back against the banister. "I thought you and Ginny were getting along now? Well maybe not too well, since they're arguing over you." Ban whistled, "Never actually heard her curse before. Damn."
"Leave them alone." Lyra hit her brother, "And why would I be excited? It was Ron's and the rest of your stupid friends' plan that got me a dislocated jaw. It still clicks." She pressed her fingers below her ear and opened and closed her mouth.
"They're your friends too you know." She raised an eyebrow, "Complete truth, they've been beating themselves up over it for weeks now. But they just don't know how to approach you about it. Especially since you're always with Pansy now."
"A shot would have been a good idea, or at least a gift basket." Ban laughed. "Bottle of bourbon. Some money as compensation for getting the shit kicked out of me."
"You see, I told them all that but they just laughed. Guess they thought I was joking." Ban was drumming a song on her shoes lightly and she smiled down at him, "Oo, next time I'll have them send you a fruit basket." Ban softened, "Not that there will be a next time." Lyra leant back against the stairs and stared at the twinkling Christmas lights; Pansy was arguing with another Prefect over how bows were tacky. She held her wand out in front of her and snow flew from the tip and clung to the lit up trees. "They don't know how to handle the situation. They've got death down pat, but to be faced with watching you in pain. Pain that they caused-" Ban sighed, "I didn't know how to deal with it either, and I'm sorry I didn't do more."
Pansy noticed Lyra watching and waved as she lifted her wand, Ban smiled wide and waved back. She hit her brother on the back of his head and waved back to Pansy, the girls laughed in unison. "It's okay, I've dealt with it. I'll be okay."
Ban cleared his throat and stared up at Lyra, "Bruises all healed up." She nodded.
"The girls have been helping a lot. Pansy is really cool, you'd like her if you weren't obsessed with Harry."
"I am not!" Ban scoffed, "And I thought you said she was a fanatic? What makes you so special for her to want to be your friend?"
Lyra shrugged. "Proximity?" Ban shook his head and laughed with his sister.
"Sorry mate," Cormac smiled, "Can I steal her away now?"
"You're late." Lyra groaned.
"I hope it won't cost me too much," Ban laughed and Lyra accepted his hand, "Good afternoon." Ban pretended to tip a hat and Cormac frowned.
"Play nice!" Ban shouted when they neared the door and Lyra turned to flip him off.
"Is there anything more," Cormac cleared his throat and fiddled with the cuffs of his shirt, "fitting?"
Lyra frowned at him in the mirror as she ran her hands over the front of the dress. "You're such a boy." She stepped back in the dressing room and the curtains fell together on their own. Lyra changed slowly into the tenth dress the shop owner had pulled for them.
"How 'bout red?" Lyra groaned loudly and stepped from the fitting room. "Oh, wow. That one." Cormac was nodding in approval.
"You think? It's not at all what you asked for. In fact this is the most fabric I've worn, since you helped pick out most of them."
"Should have just let you shop for yourself. This is the one. Classy." He nodded curtly Lyra scoffed, turning to look at herself in the mirror. "Hermione's going to hate it." Lyra chuckled and fixed the high collar of the dress, then pulled it lower past her knees to smooth it out.
"I wouldn't say classy Cormac. But it is pretty. Certainly more modest then the ones you picked." She adjusted the loose fabric that hooked around her bare shoulders and connected to the back of her dress, "You're taking me to lunch for wasting my time."
"Deal." Lyra laughed as she turned back towards him, "Wow. How are you doing your hair?"
"No, drawing the line at the dress." Carnac shrugged in defeat and tossed her a small cloth pouch, coins clinked together when she caught it. "Pleasure doing business." He stood to go pay while she changed back into her clothes.
"This isn't what I had in mind you know." Cormac smiled at her. They sat in the great hall and she pushed her pasta around the bowl.
"Figured. But, I only got permission for Gladrags. Besides you can get practically anything you want here." She shrugged and ate happily. "You seem to be feeling better."
"I guess. Shopping got my mind off of things for a while." He turned when he heard Ron laughing as he, Harry, Hermione and Ginny walked into the hall.
"That's my cue." He tapped her elbow before he got up and his empty seat was taken by the others.
"What Lav and I have is just something you lot wouldn't understand." Ron smiled and slid next to Lyra. "What did that bloody git want then?"
"He just took me shopping for Slughorn's Christmas Party next week."
"Right then, have all of you gotten an invitation? I'm the only one not going?" Ron seemed to redden as he loaded his plate with food.
"Pretty much." Lyra laughed and chewed slowly, Hermione took a sip of her water.
"Didn't know you and McLaggen were a thing." Hermione sounded annoyed and Lyra smirked. "Sorry, do you mind?" She lifted the goblet and Lyra shook her head.
"I'm fine, and we're not. He just wants to make you jealous." Hermione coughed and Ron scowled.
Ginny was laughing, "He's got the right idea then." She leant around Harry and smiled, "I'm sorry by the way. For being rude. Boys, you know?"
"Not really." Lyra groaned and Ban flopped across from her, nudging Hermione to the side.
"Lala's never had a boyfriend." Her brother pretended to pout, "Poor thing, you going to finish that?" Ban touched the edge of her dish and smiled widely.
"All yours." She slid it over. "And that's not true," she looked at the others, "I've dated, just not for long."
"Yeah because you drive them crazy."
"Also not true." She hit her brother with a roll and he feigned injury.
"Whatever you say. All I know is that anyone you've even kissed went nuts." Lyra shrank and Hermione tossed something at his head. "I'm not wrong, even Neville was acting strange for a week after-" Lyra found herself turning to glance at the nearly empty Slytherin table.
"You kissed Neville?" Ginny stood so she could push Harry away from Lyra, he didn't particularly look annoyed when Ginny touched his hips and forced him to exchange seats. Lyra groaned as she faced them again and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"That was why he started being hostile towards everyone?" Harry took a drink and frowned, "After we won that match?" Ban nodded "I don't get it."
"She's half Veela dude." Ban was talking with his mouth full and pointed at Harry with his fork, "Simply put, very little people can handle whatever it is that makes people attracted to her. The vast majority of people can not. They become obsessed." Ban glared at his friends and Lyra chewed her lip. "So don't even think about it and that's a no to you Ron. It would not be a fun prank and I will hurt you." Ron shrunk a bit.
"I wouldn't say obsessed." Lyra whispered by the others we already talking over her.
"But Fleur is mixed with Veela, and all that ever happened with her is people staring." Ron's eyes seemed to glaze over as he remembered the girl.
"She half?" Ban asked and Lyra ran her hands through her hair, Hermione shook her head. "Don't count then. The closer you are to being pure the more alluring you are."
"Can we just," Lyra sighed again, "not?"
"Unfortunately it really does come down to blood, some Veela family's have more," he twirled his fork in the air and then put it in his mouth, "I don't know, attractiveness than others? Right Lala?" She shifted, "Grandma-" he glanced at his sister and cleared his throat. "Sorry, I get carried away."
"Don't be sorry, I mean, it's your family too." She took a long drink of her water and watched Ban eat, he looked like a kicked puppy.
"Are you excited?" Ginny broke the silence with a smile, "It'll be a little cozy with everyone but I'm sure we'll find space."
"It's a little pervy how you think of your brothers, Ron." Ban chewed slowly and Ron shrunk into himself some more.
"Cut it out Thuban, you bloody moron." Ron swirled his thumb over the condensation on his goblet, Hermione smacked his arm.
"You know I don't understand your Brit humor mate, maybe you should speak your mind and the others can fill me in." Ban mocked his accent and Ron made faces at him that he ignored.
"Tosser." Ron scoffed and Lyra laughed.
"If the rest of your family is going to bully Ban, then I'm sure I'm going to love it Ginny." She stood slowly, "I have to check the bulletin and then Pansy asked me to help her with Charms homework. But did you want to hang later?" Ginny straightened and nodded. "See you then, you can tell me about these brothers that Ron is thinking about." Ron was red and didn't look up at her when she stood. "I'll send Ladon." Ban smiled after his sister as she left and then kicked Ron roughly.
"Seriously Weasley, I taught you how to keep your mind shut like five times now." She couldn't help but laugh at the sound of their argument as it filled the Great Hall and spilled into the corridor.
"I'll be right down!" Lyra shouted after her friend when she stopped to read the bulletin, Pansy nodded and collected her things before retiring to their dorm. Lyra's quill shot from her bag and jotted down the new password on a piece of parchment and crossed out the old with one single, exaggerated, swipe. The deep purple quill tucked itself away and Lyra adjusted the strap of her bag before she left. Draco grabbed her and pulled her through the wall before she could make a sound, "I'm sorry but-" She punched him with everything she had, Draco growled and rubbed his stiff jaw. "You're bloody ridiculous."
"Let me out Malfoy." She pushed him and he held his hands up, "Tell me the password. Now." Lyra slapped him and watched her handprint redden his face.
"Are you done?" He stared at her, "Have you had your swings?" She hesitated for a moment and then balled her fist, Lyra smiled at the swift crack and shook the pain from her hand while Draco slid down the wall. "Right. Well I suppose I deserve that." He massaged his jaw and smirked up at her.
"You deserve more than that you slimy, pathetic, piece of-"
"Enough." He growled and cradled his chin. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh what a coincidence," Lyra laughed, "I wanted to avoid you for the rest of my life!"
"Don't be like that Lyra." His eyes were pleading and he lifted his wand. Lyra's own wand was in her hand within seconds and Draco dropped his, "I was just going to fix my jaw. My girl's got one hell of an arm."
"Episkey." He winced when his jaw popped.
"Thank you."
"Fuck you. Let me out." He frowned up at her. "Now Draco!"
"No, we need to talk about this Lyra. Please." He stood, slowly, and remained pressed into the wall. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me that night."
"You're evil."
"I wasn't myself Lyra. You know I would never hurt you like that. But seeing you with him ." He rolled his shoulders and let out a long breath as if suppressing his anger.
"All I know is what you did Malfoy." Her wand rose to point directly between his eyes, "Now let me out. I'm not asking anymore."
"Would you just listen to me?" He yelled and Lyra jumped, "I was angry and then seeing you with Blaise sent me over the edge." Lyra's knuckles were turning white. "I'm apologizing."
"No you're trying to justify raping me." Her mouth went dry and Draco stiffened.
"I didn't-" he shook his head, "That's not what happened."
"Yes it is. And yes you did." Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, "You beat me and then used me, let me scream for help and mocked me."
"I'm apologizing, Lyra. Forgive me!" Draco's voice cracked and she noticed his eyes were beginning to water. "I can handle hatred from anyone else, everyone else." He stepped closer and Lyra refused to lower her wand, "But I need you Lyra."
"No."
"Please." Draco's voice cracked, he moved closer and brushed his hand up her arm. He winced when she jabbed her wand under his chin, his eyes softened and he lowered his voice. "I miss you Lyra."
"No." She growled. Draco tucked her hair behind her ear and she pushed her wand further into his throat.
"Forgive me," he sighed and cried soundlessly, "I need you." Draco's eyes searched her face as she stared up at him, "You're the only thing that makes sense to me anymore."
"Draco-"
"I'm afraid of what I'll become if I don't have you by my side." His hand rubbed her face tenderly as he lowered his mouth onto hers. "Forgive me. Please." He deepened the kiss and hissed when his neck started to sizzle. "I'm sorry. Lyra," he winced as the heat from her wand intensified, but didn't move from her. "I don't know what came over me. I'm jealous and possessive. It doesn't make up for what I did to you-" she stared at him, his neck reddening as her wand burned him. "Do whatever you need to." His hands wrapped around her and kissed her deeply. "Just stay with me. Forgive me. Please." Lyra dropped her wand and he smiled, kissing her deeper and holding her to him. She twirled her wrist and a rope wrapped around Draco's throat. He croaked her name and she pulled him after her towards the door to his room.
"Open it."
"Lyra Piers." His breathing was ragged and his face was reddening when the door swung open. She waved her wand and it pulled him into the room, Draco fell to his knees and his head smashed into one of the bedposts. He turned slowly and clawed at the restraints on his neck.
"Not so fun, is it?"
"Please." He whispered, Lyra lowered her wand and Draco coughed loudly."Are you crazy?" Something in her clicked and before she could stop herself she used the Cruciatus Curse. Draco writhed loudly, screaming and thrashing while calling her name. Lyra unbuttoned her sweater while she watched and tossed it towards his desk.
"I think I might be." Draco's back ached from the floor and she squatted to run her hand over his torso as he screamed. "I think I want to break up." She nodded with a mock look of concern. With a flick of her wand his body relaxed and she stood to watch him pant, unable to catch his breath as he cursed at her, on the cold stone floor.
"Lyra. Please." She frowned and circled him, before kicking his head roughly to the side and pressing it into the stone floor with the toe of her heel.
"Give me one good reason not to kill you Draco."
"You love me." Lyra laughed and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"You think this is love?" She ground her foot into his head before kicking away from him. "I hate you." She tossed her hair over her shoulder, "Get on the bed." He rolled over and stood on shaky legs, and slowly climbed into the bed obediently. "Take your clothes off." He unbuttoned his shirt with trembling hands and then fumbled with his belt before pulling his trousers from him.
"Lyra-"
"Shut up." She snapped and watched him as she began to pace the length of the bed.
"Ly-"
"I said be quiet." She yelled and shot a hex at him, he strained against the invisible coil that tightened around his neck, his dick twitched and hardened as he stared at her. "Are you enjoying this?" She laughed and Draco nodded slowly, "You disgust me." Lyra stepped out of her underwear and hiked her skirt to straddle him. "You're so pathetic." Draco moved to touch her, she swished her wand and his arms and legs were bound to the posts of his bed. Lyra spit on her hand and stoked Draco's length, she rolled her eyes at how much precum dripped from his tip. "So eager, so needy." She sank around him and Draco's head fell back as he groaned. "I hate you." Lyra held his throat and rode him slowly. He strained against his binding, yearning to touch her. "Enjoy this Malfoy. Because it's that last you'll have of me."
"Don't-" Lyra hit him and he moaned.
"Fucking Death Eater trash." She leant forward and held his forearms, squeezing his tattoo.
"Stop. It hurts." He hissed and stared at her hand that gripped his Dark Mark, she squeezed harder. "Please, it burns. S-stop."
"Good. I want you to hurt." She purred in his ear and then pushed away from him, splaying her fingers over his stomach as she moved against him.
"Lyra stop, I'm going to-"
"Cum inside me?" She laughed, "You want to?" Draco nodded and moaned loudly. Lyra laughed at him, "Fucking Blood Traitor." He groaned and bit his lip. "Accio knife." Draco's eyes widened and he tried to squirm away from her. Lyra stoked his face and cooed to soothe him. "If you don't move, you wont get hurt." She laughed, "Relax Draco, or it will hurt more than necessary." Lyra quoted him and Draco's breathing was frantic.
"Lyra stop." She started at his chin, grinding against him and tracing the knife gently over his throat as he gulped. He moaned loudly and rolled his hips, "What the fuck!" He shrieked when she pressed the knife into him, slicing a thin line down the middle of his chest.
"I told you not to move." He was panting and cursing as she continued the line, barely cutting into him. "It's only blood, Draco." He pulled on his ropes and she pressed the knife deeper into the middle of his torso, just above his naval. "The more you move the deeper I go." He was moaning as she rode him and hissed when she lifted the knife and returned it below his navel, following the trail of hair down to where they met. He moved his hips, needing more and stabbed him, just above his hip. "Scream for me Draco." He did and Lyra moved her hips quicker. "Don't move." Lyra's hand moved swiftly and carved her initials into him to mimic the ones he branded into her.
"What the fuck Lyra." Draco ground his teeth, he was furious and Lyra laughed, Draco bucked into her and Lyra fell forward. The blade pushed into his shoulder and he screamed. Lyra laughed and yanked it from him then tossed the knife away. She ran her hand up his torso, following the line and smearing his blood until she gripped his throat.
"I should kill you for what you did to me." His eyes widened and she kissed him deeply.
"You feel so fucking good." He rolled his hips into her and she moaned into his mouth. His bindings slacked and Draco touched her greedily. His shoulder was on fire and he was losing blood from where she stabbed him, but all he wanted was her. Draco kissed her as if he needed to to survive, he smacked her ass and followed the curves of her body until one of his hands fisted itself in her hair. "Tell me you missed me." He moaned and thrust faster into her.
"I despise you." Draco growled and sat up, pulling her against him and flipped her onto her back. He stared down at her, his blood coating her body and pouring from his hip and shoulder. "You make me sick." He reached behind Lyra and unclasped her bra. She helped him toss the bloody lace to the floor and he thrust wildly inside her.
"Fuck I missed you." He kissed her, trailing his lips from her mouth to behind her ear and then to her collarbone. "I'm so sorry."
"Shut up." She groaned and pulled his hair, streaking it with red. "Fuck me." She rolled her hips into him and his breathing hitched.
"Fuck. Wait."
"No." Lyra rolled her hips into him, moving quickly against him and locked her leg around his, "I'm so close."
"Lyra, please. I'm going to-" she gasped and arched her back as he fucked her.
"Yes." She giggled and he collapsed into her, "Draco, you-"
"I know." He moaned as she pulsed around him, "Easy." He was out of breath and she rolled him off of her.
"I hate you." She spat and stalked towards the bathroom.
"So you say." The door slammed shut and he laid there in bliss for a while, his orgasm heightened by how light headed he was becoming from the blood loss. Draco hissed when he sat up, his blood pouring from his wound and he pressed his hand against his hip as he limped to get his wand. "Crazy bitch." He opened his door slightly and summoned his wand from the hall before using it to heal his wounds and clean all the blood from himself and the room.
"Get out." Lyra's voice was venomous, but Draco ignored her and joined her in the shower.
"After all that and you won't even look at me?"
"I hate you." He helped rinse the soap from her hair and frowned.
"You missed me. Just as much as I missed you."
"You're delusional." He rubbed her shoulders as the hot water relaxed them and she bit back a moan.
"You're in denial." Draco sniffed quietly and ran his hand over her hair again, "I'm so sorry Lyra." His voice cracked. "Please forgive me." He was crumbling, Lyra turned to catch him and followed him to the ground. Draco cried as the water pulsed over them, "I have to do this Lyra. He'll kill me." He shook in her arms and buried his face in her shoulder. "He'll kill my mother," he sighed, "and my f-" he cried harder as his breathing hitched. "I don't have a choice." He held her tenderly and pulled away to stare at her, "But you, I have a choice with you. I choose you Lyra." She shook her head, and he kissed her gently.
"I can't do this anymore Draco. You're attacking innocent people. Katie-"
"I wasn't trying to hurt her Lyra. I just-" she held him as he cried, "I don't know what to do, I've been trying to fix it. And he told me he'd kill my mother if I failed. Lyra I can't-"
She held him and turned the water off. "Just breath Draco. Breathe." She brushed his wet hair from his face and frowned, "Fix what, Draco. What are you doing?" He shook his head and held her tightly until his breathing steadied.
"You're safe now. That's all that matters, you proved yourself. You helped me. You're safe."
"Draco, stop. You're not making any sense. " He kissed her and she pulled from him.
"I have to kill him, we can be together after I kill him. He promised. He swore he wouldn't hurt you." Draco was crying and holding Lyra firmly. "I have to do this," he choked, "He'll kill you all."
"Draco, I can't do this anymore. You've made your choice. You're a Death Eater." Draco was shaking.
"No, it's okay. It'll all be okay when I succeed. We can be together."
She stood and wrapped a towel around her, Draco curled into himself and pressed against the shower wall. "You're already too far gone." He cried softly as she left and tore at his forearm.
Lyra pulled her clothes on swiftly and collected her wand, she whispered her name to the door and it opened eagerly. She stopped and sucked in a breath when she heard Draco wailing, calling for her, begging her to stay. Lyra plucked her bag from her hall and sighed when her name was the password needed to exit.
"Sorry I'm late." Lyra smiled at Ginny who was waiting for her outside of the Great Hall.
"Are you okay?" Her eyes widened at the small spot of blood that stained the bottom of her sweater.
"Oh this," Lyra frowned at the stain and tucked her sweater into her skirt, "Pansy and I got a bit carried away with some Potions."
"I thought you said she needed help with Charms homework."
"I did!" Lyra chuckled and cleared her throat, "But then she helped me with a potion," she nodded, "For potions."
Ginny glared past her and Lyra frowned, turning to see Dean glance away from them. "I hope this isn't awkward for you."
"Why would it be?" Lyra adjusted her waistband and frowned.
"Because you liked Dean, and I was a rude and bitchy-"
"I didn't know Dean enough to like him." Lyra linked her arms with Ginny's and walked through the castle. "Thought he was cute," Ginny laughed, "Is he a good kisser." She nudged Ginny with her hip and she smacked Lyra's shoulder. "What, it's not like I could take him for a spin anymore."
"Wow."
"What? Friend's ex-boyfriends are off limits. Or are things different in Europe?" Lyra pretended to turn around and Ginny jerked her along.
"You are absolutely mad."
The girls spent the rest of the week leading up to the party together in all of their free time. Ginny informed her that her family wasn't too well off and instructed her to expect a handmade gift. "Should I get your family something?"
"Oh no, there's no way they would expect anything from you."
"Would you be able to help me pick things out, though?" Ginny nodded and Lyra caught her watching Harry as he joined Ron and Hermione on a bench. Lyra rolled her eyes when Lavender hung herself around Ron and Hermione rushed towards them. "You could help me too. I've done the paperwork. Even added your name, just in case." Lyra tugged Hermione to walk with them and she frowned.
"Help with what, exactly."
"She wants to get presents from my family."
"I'll use the forty galleons left over from what Cormac paid me to go with him to Slughorn's party tonight."
"Excuse me?" Hermione laughed, "You're getting paid?"
"To make you jealous." She nodded, "Exactly." The girls laughed and caught the eye of a group of boys headed towards the library.
"You should only get something for Mum and Dad." Ginny nodded and let the girls walk her towards the main entrance.
"What about your brother?"
"Which one?" Hermione snorted.
"You have more then one?" Ginny laughed.
"I forgot you never met any of my other brothers, I'm the youngest of seven. Six older brothers."
"Damn."
"Tell me about it." Ginny laughed, "But no, my parents are fine." The girls pulled Hermione along as she groaned, "Besides, I'm not sure which of my brothers will be home for the Holidays. Besides Ron of course." Ginny added as they rounded the knoll into Hogsmeade.
Cormac gasped audibly when Lyra joined him under the cluster of lanterns that lit their way towards Professor Slughorn's Party. "You just get more beautiful every time I see you." Hermione snorted while she and Ban brushed past them.
Cormac grabbed Lyra's hand and kissed her knuckles. "You're obnoxious."
"You wound me, my dear." He tucked her arm under his own and patted her hand as he led her down the corridor. "Red is a beautiful color on you."
"It's more of a burgundy." Lyra mumbled and Cormac's amusement flooded the hall as he led her to Slughorn's office. Laughter, music, and loud conversation were growing louder with every step they took and Lyra's stomach was swooping in time to the beat.
Lyra noticed Draco out of the corner of her eye, his head hung as he rolled an apple in his hands, "You ready Lyra?" His head snapped up at her name and she met his sad eyes as Cormac led her to the door, he placed his hand on her lower back and gently guided her into the office. Lyra desperately needed a drink.
Slughorn's office was much larger than the usual teacher's study, magic never failed to amaze her. The ceiling and walls had been draped with emerald, crimson and gold hangings, it reminded her of going to the circus in New York when she was younger, only this vast tent held more wonder than the other and smelled much better. The room was crowded with Professor Slughorn's guests and bathed in the red light cast by an ornate golden lamp dangling from the center of the ceiling in which real fairies were fluttering, each a brilliant speck of light. There was a haze of pipe smoke that hung over several elderly warlocks deep in conversation, Lyra coughed when Cormac led her past them. A number of house-elves were negotiating their way squeakily through the forest of knees, obscured by the heavy silver platters of food they were bearing, so that they looked like short roaming tables.
"Cormac!" Slughorn bellowed and smiled broadly, he raised his arm to embrace her date as he waved them over.
"This should only take a moment, you look a little pale." Cormac kissed her knuckles again and the jolly Wizard laughed, "Perhaps something to eat?"
"What a wonderful idea. We were just speaking of your Uncle!" Her date laughed and kissed her knuckles again with a wink. "What cheek!" Professor Slughorn embraced him and stood to pose for a photograph.
Lyra let out a deep breath and sidestepped one of the house-elves that meandered into the crowd. She stared at the array of food on one of the tables and suddenly felt overwhelmed, she coughed again when smoke wafted towards her and she fanned her face. "Do you suppose those are made of real dragons?" Luna's dreamy voice snapped Lyra's attention back into the room. She shook the thought of Draco's sad eyes from her and frowned, "I'm not quite sure I'd enjoy eating them if that were the case."
"I'm not sure Luna."
"Pity." She let out a disappointed huff and snagged a chocolate parfait from one of the short trays as they passed. Ban stole the small sandwich that Lyra lifted to her mouth and laughed when she hit him.
"There's no way they're real dragon." He spoke with his mouth full and waved his hand dismissively before straightening his dress robes. "Just the name," he glanced at it curiously, "most likely just the name. Like deviled eggs." Luna nodded thoughtfully and then cocked her head towards Ban.
"What does a devilish egg taste like?" The twins laughed and Luna blinked up at them. "Wait where are you-" but Luna was gone, pulled away by Harry after Hermione. Ban nudged Lyra and nodded her towards Hermione, who was rushing away from Cormac. He looked particularly heartbroken standing alone under the mistletoe.
"She snogged me." Ban beamed, chewed his food slowly and watched Hermione stand behind Harry in a darker corner of the room.
"Hermione?" Lyra stared after her friend as Harry attempted to hide her, "Snogged?"
"Kissed." Ban smirked. "She only did it to annoy Ron." He smiled as he watched Professor Trelawney talk, obviously irritated, to his three friends. "I don't mind though, she can use me whenever she likes."
"I'm not sure that is a healthy relationship Thuban." he nodded knowingly and watched Hermione squeeze between two witches when Cormac spotted her.
"Not exactly wanting a relationship with her in particular." he glanced at Luna who was deep in conversation with the eccentric witch. Slughorn was at their side and Ban inflated with pride when Hermione strode towards them with purpose. He cleared his throat when Lyra followed her brother's gaze. "Sure is fun though." He laughed and took Hermione's hand and spun her into him, dipping her lightly. Hermione giggled, "Have I told you how absolutely beautiful you look."
"Several times." She covered her mouth and reddened, "Sorry I had one of those dragon-"
"Guess they're not actually dragon." Lyra chuckled to herself.
"-and my breath must be terrible."
"Absolutely awful." Ban smiled down at her and Hermione turned red as he straightened her. "Doesn't bother me, after living with Lyra for seventeen years, nothing can faze me." Lyra whacked her brother and Hermione laughed.
"Look there's Ginny. About time." Lyra groaned, "Excuse me." She smiled at Hermione who was blushing and smoothing her wild hair. Lyra navigated the crowd towards her red headed friend, who looked lightly put off. "Where's your date?"
Ginny shrugged, "I came alone." She looked sad and Lyra caught her glance at Harry who laughed loudly and coughed up his drink. Lyra's face fell and she held Ginny's hand tightly; Filtch limped hastily into the room, dragging Draco Malfoy after him by the ear.
"Professor Slughorn," wheezed Filch, who looked prouder than ever, the light of mischief-detection in his bulging eyes, "I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?"
Draco pulled himself free of Filch's grip, looking furious. "All right, I wasn't invited!" He said angrily. "I was trying to gatecrash, happy?"
"No, I'm not!" said Filch, a statement at complete odds with the glee on his face. "You're in trouble, you are! Didn't the Headmaster say that night-time prowling is out, unless you've got permission, didn't he, eh?"
"That's all right, Argus, that's all right," said Slughorn, waving a hand. "It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco."
Filch had turned and shuffled away, muttering under his breath. Draco had composed his face into a smile and was thanking Slughorn for his generosity. He adjusted his dress shirt and smoothed a hand through his hair. Lyra was still holding onto Ginny who had placed a supportive hand on her back.
"You alright Ly? You're looking a little pale?" Lyra shook her head.
"It's nothing, nothing," said Slughorn, waving away Malfoy's thanks. "I did know your grandfather, after all..."
"He always spoke very highly of you, sir," said Draco quickly. "Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known..."
Harry stared at Draco and Lyra stared at Harry, who's annoyance was apparent. Lyra hadn't realized how sick Draco looked, how paler he was or the dark circles until he stood awkwardly in the party, his smugness was false and she noticed his eyes darting to her every now and then. Lyra gripped Ginny's hand harder and jumped when Cormac touched her waist. "Made a fool of himself." He snickered but Lyra couldn't hear him.
"I'd like a word with you, Draco," said Snape suddenly and Draco's sad eyes pulled from Lyra and stared up at his Professor.
"Now, Severus," said Slughorn, hiccupping again, "it's Christmas, don't be too hard-"
"I'm his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard, or otherwise, to be," said Snape curtly. "Follow me, Draco."
Lyra held her stomach, "Should I take you to the bathroom?" Ginny looked concerned.
"I'm fine, Gin. Enjoy the party." She hunched a bit, "Must have been something I ate, excuse me. I'm sorry." She squeezed both of their hands before tearing away from them and out of the party.
Harry hadn't noticed Lyra, and she was sure if he did he wouldn't have pulled an Invisibility Cloak out of his pocket and thrown it over himself. Lyra followed Luna's charm and coincidentally Harry's invisible self as his feet fell steadily. Lyra whispered a silencing charm on her heels and listened to Harry shuffle down the corridor until his steps stopped.
Lyra hovered over him and felt Harry tense under the cloak when she touched his shoulder and squatted next to him, crouched down and pressed into the door of the last classroom in the corridor.
"... cannot afford mistakes, Draco, because if you are expelled-"
"I didn't have anything to do with it, all right?"
"I hope you are telling the truth, because it was both clumsy and foolish. Already you are suspected of having a hand in it."
"Who suspects me?" said Draco angrily. "For the last time, I didn't do it, okay? That Bell girl must've had an enemy no one knows about-don't look at me like that! I know what you're doing, I'm not stupid, but it won't work-I can stop you!"
There was a pause and then Snape said quietly, "Ah... Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?" Lyra gulped, it wasn't his Aunt, Lyra was the one who taught him how to close his mind so Ban wouldn't find out about their relationship.
"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him, I just don't want you butting in!"
Lyra felt Harry push forward, pressing harder against the keyhole. "So that is why you have been avoiding me this term? You have feared my interference? You realize that, had anybody else failed to come to my office when I had told them repeatedly to be there, Draco-"
"So put me in detention! Report me to Dumbledore!" Taunted Draco. Lyra could imagine the color rising to his face, the fuse of his temper burning short.
There was another pause, broken by Snape, "You know perfectly well that I do not wish to do either of those things."
"You'd better stop telling me to come to your office then!"
"Listen to me," said Snape, his voice so low now that Lyra had almost missed what he said. "I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco-"
"Looks like you'll have to break it, then, because I don't need your protection! It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it, I've got a plan and it's going to work, it's just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"
"What is your plan?" Lyra's head was reeling, he wouldn't even tell her his plan and they once shared a bed.
"It's none of your business!" Lyra smirked cockily.
"If you tell me what you are trying to do, I can assist you..."
"I have all the assistance I need, thanks, I'm not alone!" her breath hitched and Harry shifted under his cloak.
"You were certainly alone tonight, which was foolish in the extreme, wandering the corridors without lookouts or backup, these are elementary mistakes-"
"I would've had Crabbe and Goyle with me if you hadn't put them in detention! I could have had-" Lyra gripped Harry's shoulder and she heard him take a breath.
"Keep your voice down!" spat Snape, for Draco's voice had risen excitedly. "If your friends Crabbe and Goyle intend to pass their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. this time around, they will need to work a little harder than they are doing at pres-"
"What does it matter?" Draco said with a sigh. She could picture the tick working into his jaw as he clenched it. "Defense Against the Dark Arts-it's all just a joke, isn't it, an act? Like any of us need protecting against the Dark Arts-" Lyra wanted to vomit, the snacks and desserts from the party deigned to repeat themselves.
"It is an act that is crucial to success, Draco!" said Snape. "Where do you think I would have been all these years, if I had not known how to act? Now listen to me! You are being incautious, wandering around at night, getting yourself caught, and if you are placing your reliance in assistants like Crabbe and Goyle-"
"They're not the only ones, I've got other people on my side, better people! I have-" Lyra waited for her name to fall from Draco's lips but Snape cut him off and her tense body relaxed.
"Then why not confide in me, and I can-"
"I know what you're up to! You want to steal my glory!"
There was another pause, then Snape said coldly, "You are speaking like a child. I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but-"
Before she could blink Harry crushed her into the wall beside the door and winced when it smacked into his back. His arm above her head, covering both of them fully in his cloak, and his hand pressed firmly to her mouth. Lyra breathed heavy into his palm, but Harry didn't even glance down at Lyra. He was watching Draco as he strode away from them, down the corridor, past the open door of Slughorn's office, around the distant corner, and out of sight.
He shook his head when Lyra inhaled and she held her breath. Harry remained crouched over her as Snape emerged slowly from the classroom. His expression unfathomable, and waited until he returned to the party. Harry didn't move, simply lowered his hand and Lyra was shaking. "I'm sorry I didn't-" Her eyes were wide and searching, and for the first time since they met, she couldn't read Harry's expression. "I'm sorry." Lyra pushed Harry away and ran down the corridor, away from the party. Harry remained on the floor, hidden beneath the Cloak, and Lyra slid down the wall when she turned the corner and cried until she vomited.