I do not own Harry Potter. All rights go to J. K. Rowling as well as Warner brothers (For the movie rights).
Daughter of Darkness
Chapter Thirty-Five
Appearing in front of the Leaky Cauldron, Lyra stood still for a moment to regain her bearings. Apparition was definitely an uncomfortable mode of transportation. Once she was composed, Lyra and Narcissa set off towards Gringotts, where the account manager met with them and led them down to the vaults.
"She was devastated when the ring disappeared off of her finger," Narcissa explained as she held the silvery-gold band with a black stone set in the middle. Lyra nodded. "I think when it disappeared was when she fully realized what her choice meant."
"Well now, we can fix a wrong, many of them in fact, and maybe heal a family that has been divided for far too long," Lyra said as Narcissa handed her the ring. "Has Gringotts prepared the proper papers?" Lyra asked Goldclaw. The goblin nodded. "Excellent. If you would, could you tell me if Andromeda Tonks had a vault of her own connected to the Black name before she was disowned?"
"To my knowledge, there was a trust fund vault the name Andromeda Black. It still exists, but her access has been revoked," Goldclaw explained.
"That's not possible," Narcissa explained. "The money in her account should've been returned to the Black vault after she was disowned."
"Will access be returned to her once she has been accepted back into the family?" Lyra asked the goblin.
"Yes, according to the papers Gringotts has drawn up," Goldclaw nodded.
"Good. Continue as you have been, Goldclaw," Lyra said as she pocketed the ring, along with another box.
"If that will be all, we should be getting back to the surface now," Goldclaw said. Lyra nodded, walked to the entrance of the vault, and stopped when she turned her head to look at the doors to her two other vaults.
"Actually, if you don't mind, I would like to enter the vault holding all of our books," Lyra said. Narcissa gave her a look that said 'Are you sure you want to do that?' to which Lyra nodded.
"Very well," Goldclaw nodded as he walked over to the vault, pressing his hand to it. It shimmered and rippled for a moment before a solid ker chunk sound, causing the door to creak open.
Several candles lit up along the walls, light spilling out of them and casting long shadows across the towering bookcases.
"How many are in here?" Lyra asked as she stepped further into the vault.
"At last count before Arcturus died, nine hundred and fifty-two," Goldclaw explained.
"So many books? All of them contain knowledge not suitable in even the Black library?" Lyra questioned aloud.
"Yes. Many of them were banned by the ministry, and others are one of a kind," Narcissa explained, watching Lyra carefully as she approached a gold podium with a blank book lying on it.
Lyra run her fingers gently down the open book, a still fresh inkwell and quill beside it. Of course Gringotts would have something like this. It was too bad the Black library at Grimmauld didn't have one.
Not yet, anyway.
Narcissa heard the scratching of a quill on paper before she turned to her goddaughter, the girls form hunched over as she wrote down whatever it was she was interested in. A stack of books that must've been three feet high appeared on the oak table in front.
"What are you looking for?" Narcissa asked.
"Dueling books, duh. If I want to be better, I have to understand different styles and be able to counter them if necessary. Not to mention, the dueling circuit is legally allowed to use many of the 'dark spells' that the ministry restricts," Lyra explained with a smirk as she looked over the titles.
'Dueling with the Dark Arts'
'Spell chaining and Shield Breaking: Curses and Hexes'
"A lot of these predate the modern dueling circuit by a hundred years," Lyra said in wonder. "What's this?" she asked, looking at a different book.
'Runic battle magic'
"You can use runes in combat?" Lyra asked.
"Not anymore. Most official dueling circuits don't allow runes. They're too easy to get wrong in the heat of combat and could potentially explode, killing anyone in the vicinity," Narcissa explained, noting the disappointed look on Lyra's face.
"Damn, I was kind of excited to be able to combine runes and dueling," she explained.
"Just like your mother," Narcissa said fondly. "Always looking for a leg up on the competition. Why don't you take some of these books home to read, even the rune book? They could prove useful."
"Alright," Lyra said, smiling as she picked up the books.
"Come on, let's leave. Even though they're just books, just thinking of the stuff that even our family found too dark leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling," Narcissa said, an uncomfortable look on her face.
Lyra, thinking back to when she first stepped in, realized she didn't feel the same way. In fact, she wanted to come back again.
The rest of the day passed with little issue. Kreature popped into their rooms every now and again to approve the food choices, but that was about it. Lyra barely noticed the time flying by as she read her new dueling books, absorbing everything she could lay her eyes on.
When six o' clock rolled by, Lyra didn't notice; it took Narcissa accidentally startling her to break her out of her own little world.
"Nymphadora is here, Lyra," Narcissa reminded. Lyra blinked once, twice, three times before Narcissa's words registered.
"Oh shite I forgot!" she exclaimed before leaping out of her bed and running down the stairs.
Tonks was sitting at one of the dirty tables that seemed to be synonymous with the Leaky Cauldron, eating a plain sandwich and sipping a butterbeer.
"Sorry," Lyra said, pulling out the chair across from Tonks. "I got caught up in a few dueling books." Tonks merely laughed.
"Don't worry, cousin o' mine, I know you and your dueling books. I'm honored you were able to tear yourself away from one. How are you?" she asked. Lyra noted that Tonks had referred to her as her cousin, which made her smile, before she answered.
"I've been doing good. Got some business settled, visited my vaults. It was a productive day. How was yours?" Lyra asked.
"Good. Had to do a bit of paperwork for a case I'm working on right now with my partner, but I managed it in time. So what was it you needed to talk to my mother about?" Tonks asked. Lyra gave that same sly smile.
"Nothing. Stop questioning it and let the surprise happen. I'm filthy fucking rich. Surprises are bound to happen, get used to it," Lyra said, waving her hand through the air. "Now, I need you to take me to your mother's house. There's something I need to talk to her about."
"Alright alright, no need to be so pushy," Tonks joked. Inside of course, she was nervous. How in the world had Lyra discovered who she was? And what did that mean in the future? Would her mother now tell Lyra the truth, now that it didn't matter? "Come on."
One portkey into the front hall of the Tonks' house later, Lyra adjusted her dress that Narcissa insisted she wear for this occasion, making sure it wasn't too disheveled.
"Nymphadora? You're home late. We just sat down to dinner!" Andi called from the kitchen.
"Sorry Mum!" Tonks called back as she pulled off her coat and hung it on the rack. "Picked up a guest for tonight!"
There was a pause before a rustling sound from the kitchen and suddenly, a very surprised looing Andromeda stood in the doorway. "Isabella? Or, I'm sorry, do you prefer Lyra?" she asked, her hands fidgeting ever so slightly before her Black mask slipped into place.
"It's alright, Andi," Lyra said with an easy laugh, her hair turning an orangey brown. This was a place she felt comfortable, where she could let her hair down, so to speak. Narcissa had begun trying to drill her in pureblood etiquette, but it was clear to Lyra from the very beginning that those lessons would never truly stick. "Sorry I interrupted dinner. I suppose I could talk to you tomorrow evening."
"Nonsense. I always make enough for five people since Nymphadora eats enough for two," Andi said, ignoring Tonks' affronted expression. Lyra however, did not.
She walked by Tonks before turning around for a second. "Close your mouth, cousin, you'll catch a pixie that way." And then she walked into the kitchen.
Andi conjured an extra seat right between Tonks and Ted as well as an extra plate.
"Thank you, Andi," Lyra said, spooning herself a pile of fried rice and chicken.
"So, can you finally talk about what you needed Mum for?" Tonks asked impatiently as she sat down as well, her curiosity getting the better of her. Her mother sent her a look.
"We can speak after dinner, Nymphadora. Right now is family time. No business at the table," Andi scolded. Tonks' hair turned light blue before she eagerly tucked into her food and began eating.
Once dinner was over with, and most of the food gone, Andi waved her wand causing the dishes to pile in the sink.
"So, I believe my daughter said you wanted to talk to me?" Andi asked.
"Yes. Is there anywhere we can talk? Privately? I have a feeling this may get emotional," Lyra warned as she slipped her hands behind her back into the pouch that contained the rings. Andi waved her hand.
"No. We can sit in the family room. Anything you need to say or ask me can be said in front of the family if it's something to do with me, of course. If it's a question you need answered for you, then we can go to my office," Andi said. Lyra shook her head.
"No. The family room is fine," Lyra said, following behind Andi into the family room and sitting down on the loveseat that Andi had directed her to. Between Andi and herself was an oak table. Well, not to be dramatic or anything, but Lyra found it quite appropriate.
"So, what was it you had to say, dear?" Andi asked. Lyra smiled.
"As you know, I became the head of house Black. At first, you were the only Black I knew, even if you'd been disowned. I was scared of what would happen if you found out, me just suddenly appearing into your family like that…given who I am and who my mother is," Lyra muttered. Andi was about to say something, but Lyra held up a hand, so she stayed quiet. "I'm sorry about essentially keeping silent except for a simple letter, but I needed time to sort some things out with Narcissa's help. That's something else entirely, and not the reason I'm here," Lyra said.
"So…why are you here?" Tonks asked, wanting to know why Lyra was here. Her nerves were getting to her. Lyra had a poker face like an iron cauldron; tough to crack and hard to melt. Andi cuffed her only daughter upside the head for her impropriety.
"I'm here," Lyra said in amusement before palming the ring cases. "Because I, and Narcissa, agree, that you were wronged all those years ago when you left the family for Ted. Not to mention, this was Sirius' request of me when the bugger stepped down as head of house without so much as a warning," Lyra rated slightly before placing the ring boxes on the table before reaching back into her bag and pulling out an envelope with the shield for the house of Black emblazoned on it.
Andi's reaction was instant as her hand flew to her mouth, a few tears pricking at her eyes before finally rolling freely down her cheeks.
"Lyra," She whispered. The girl in question merely sat up straighter with her legs crossed before nodding her head to the rings and the envelope. "I-"
"Andromeda, if you don't open it and read that bloody letter I'll do it for you," Lyra said with a fond eye roll. Andi reached forward, grabbing both the letter and the ring. Tonks immediately picked up on the fact that there was a second box. "Yes, Tonks, that ring is for you as well," Lyra added, an amused twinkle in her eye.
Andi read over the letter, still crying in happiness. She never thought this day would come.
"You'll have to sign it. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a blood quill with me since the one back at Grimmauld place kind of lost its enchantments. The goblins also probably would've cut my hand off if I asked to borrow theirs. I kinda hoped you might have one, Ted," Lyra said. The man nodded before waving his wand, the quill appearing in his hand.
"I do, for legal papers and such," he said. Lyra nodded as the man handed his wife the quill. She signed it without so much as a wince before passing it to her daughter, who also signed it.
"Just put the rings on now and I'll do the rest," Lyra said fondly. Andi immediately slipped on the familiar ring causing a snap like sensation in Lyra's right hand. A similar feeling occurred as Tonks slipped her own ring on. "I'm sorry Ted that I didn't exactly get a ring for you, but you're not a Black by birth," Lyra joked. "Might be a bit awkward if you were though. Anyways, I did manage to get a few contracts drawn up by Gringotts. Your firm, and you specifically, are to be the Black family solicitor. You'll be covering a case soon, I suspect, but those details can't be talked about right now," she explained. Ted nodded in understanding as Lyra struggled to hide a frown.
Her ring was heating up, pulsing in time to a heartbeat that wasn't her own. Someone was hiding something from her, something that related to her personally. It could only be Tonks and Andi since she knew that Narcissa would never go against her thanks to the godmother ritual.
With a deep breath, Lyra pushed the feelings away, ignoring it. She trusted Andi and Tonks; they were family after all. Plus, adults hid things all the time and it wasn't the first time someone had kept a secret from her before. Lyra gave a bright smile and stood, Andi doing the same.
"Welcome back, Andromeda," she said warmly before pulling the older woman into a hug. Tonks joined in a moment later. When they separated, they each sat back down in their respective seats. "Well, now that that's out of the way, I have a request from you that I felt best done in person," Lyra said.
"Well I don't think you can exactly top what just happened so hit us with it," Tonks said. Lyra chuckled before twisting her ring.
"Well, I was hoping that you'd join me for a housewarming party on Saturday at four. After it's over, I would appreciate it if you'd stay. There are a few things, namely finances, that we have to discuss," Lyra said.
"Dear I haven't been involved in the family finances since I was a little older than you," Andi said with a wry smirk. Lyra responded in kind.
"Oh I'm aware, but the way Narcissa tells it, you were as good as any goblin with the family finances. Right now, they're charging an arm and a leg to get everything together and manageable. Were you to say, oh, I don't know, that you'd maybe manage the finances for seventy-five percent what Gringotts charges? Plus there's the fact that you're family. I'd say that's just good business," Lyra said, steepeling her fingers while raising a challenging eyebrow. Andromeda laughed.
"How very clever of you," she said.
"Then I hope it's a yes, that you'll be the financial adviser for the Black family?" Lyra asked hopefully. Andi nodded. "Good. We'll talk more after the party. Now, I've got some time before I have to move everything into Grimmauld. I assume you all have questions?" Lyra asked both Andi and Tonks nodded. "Well, I've got time to answer a few if you'd like," she offered.
After an hour of questions, many of which were the simple 'how did this happen?' 'how did you find out?' 'are you alright?', Lyra had to leave. Andi and Tonks escorted her to the entrance hall before the older metamorph whisked her away and returned a few minutes later.
"Are you happy now?" Andi asked. "She knows who she really is."
"Doesn't change that we lied to her for months, kept her from the truth," Tonks bit out from clenched teeth. "She deserved to hear it from us, not from a fucking Goblin of all things."
"It doesn't change that she knows now, and everything is fine, Nymphadora. You can relax now," Andi said with a sigh. She didn't want to keep the truth from Lyra, but it had been necessary. She would've revealed it when she thought the girl was ready. Clearly, she'd been wrong, she thought to herself. Lyra was a strong, capable woman, who could bear the burden of politics when the time came.
Perhaps Andromeda's thoughts were a bit naïve for a woman of her upbringing, but when you've been out of the game for so long, not having the looming cloud of the Black family over your head…ones instincts tend to dull.
One should never underestimate the wrath of a Black.
In the comfort of her own home (that still felt weird to think about, in Lyra's mind), Lyra stared at her reflection in the mirror in her hands. She ran a finger over her scar before letting out a deep sigh.
"It's time, Lyra," Narcissa said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You've been putting this off for days now. That scar and the accident that caused it weren't your fault. It's time to move on from the blame that has weighed on your shoulders for so long."
"I know it just…it's a part of me. It's a part of my history, just like the claw marks," Lyra said.
"I know," Narcissa acknowledged softly. "But it's not who you are. It doesn't define you. It's a symbol of an accident, a horrific one, but nothing else. It's a burden you needn't carry anymore."
"You're right," Lyra whispered as she picked up the jar of scar vanishing cream Narcissa had picked up at a Pippin's Potions in Diagon Alley. According to the label, it would vanish all non-magically caused scars and burns, even going so far as to heal scars caused by potions accidents.
Of course, Narcissa also inquired about cream to reduce the scars inflicted by a werewolf, but the man owning the shop had said that the paw of the werewolf that caused the injury would be needed.
Lyra could not ask that of Remus.
"Here goes nothing," Lyra said as she dipped her fingers into the jar and pulled out a healthy glob of the foul smelling cream. She rubbed it along the length of the scar before it burned slightly. "Well that was anti-climactic," she quipped.
"You'll need to leave it on all night, dear," Narcissa said with a sarcastic roll of her eyes. Lyra chuckled before ducking her head.
"Thank you, for pushing me. I don't think I'd've had the courage to do it on my own."
"Nonsense, dear. You're very much like your mother when she was your age. Strong willed, loving, brave. You wouldn't have gone through with this if you hadn't truly wanted it. I just gave you a nudge; you did the rest."
Lyra wrapped her arms around the older woman's waist, turning her head to not smear any of the cream onto Narcissa's dress.
"Still, thank you," she mumbled. Narcissa wrapped her arms gingerly around her nieces shoulder, resting her chin atop lyra's head.
"Any time sweet heart," Narcissa said before taking a deep breath through her nose. "Now, it's late. We should be getting to bed. There's still plenty of work to do tomorrow for Saturday's event."
"Of course, wouldn't want you to miss out on any beauty sleep," Lyra teased. Narcissa swatted the girls shoulder playfully.
"Hush you. Off to bed you go," she said. Lyra obliged her and laughed as she went to her room, the master bedroom. Narcissa followed behind her before going into her own room just off to the side of the master.
By the time Saturday had rolled around, Lyra and Narcissa had gotten the house presentably put together. Kreature was obsessing over the little details, cooking the food, getting the few decorations put up, and making sure neither of the two women did any work. With nothing else to do, Narcissa took Lyra upstairs to get her ready.
Something the young witch soon found out she absolutely hated.
"Oh god!" Lyra exclaimed as Narcissa pulled the strings of the corset tight. "Why would any woman voluntarily torture herself with this?" she wheezed.
"Fashion, dear, fashion," Narcissa said, unsympathetically continuing to tug on the strings.
"I can make myself look any way I choose! Why the bloody hell would I need to worry about-gah! Fashion!" Lyra grunted, squeezing her eyes tight as she took increasingly shallow breaths.
"Because a host needs to look good for any gathering, and since you are the head of house, and seeing as you own this house, you are the host. I recognize you haven't been taught proper etiquette, so consider this your first lesson. Beauty is pain," Narcissa said.
"Well this is the twentieth century!" Lyra snapped. "Woman don't have to dress up for every occasion! They also learned how to breath properly just a few decades ago, apparently!"
"Maybe in the muggle world, Lyra, but this isn't that. Magical Britain has always lagged nearly a century behind the muggles in terms of social development; a consequence of thinking ourselves so superior in every way," Narcissa explained. She finished by tying the strings in an elegant knot before turning to the mirror to apply her makeup. Lyra, when the older witch's back was turned, focused on her stomach and hips, shrinking them ever so slightly to allow for a little more breathing room. It made enough of a difference that Lyra didn't feel like she was going to pass out from lack of oxygen.
"Do you know who will be coming first?" Narcissa asked. "Did everyone reply?"
"Everyone I sent an invite to is coming except for Harry. Apparently his muggle caretakers said no," Lyra muttered. "But I expect Susan and Amelia to appear first. We've been writing a lot recently. They're good people."
"Yes. Amelia is an intelligent and kind woman. She's raised your sister to be much the same way," Narcissa said. "Though I bet Andromeda will be the first to show up. A Black is never late."
After getting makeup done (Lyra absolutely refused, causing Narcissa to huff before giving up), a knock on the door caught their attention.
"That must be them. You get it, invite them in, just like I taught you," Narcissa said. Lyra rolled her eyes but proceeded without complaint. When she opened the door, she was about to start the formal greeting, but who was at the door was not who she expected.
"Sirius!" she hissed before yanking him inside. "What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be here until Monday!"
"I got here early. Didn't think it would be such a big deal. Surprise!" Sirius said with a big grin.
"No! No surprise! Tonight's the house warming party and Amelia is going to be here! You know, the head of the fucking DMLE!" Lyra exclaimed, drawing Narcissa's attention.
"Lyra? Who is it? I heard shout – Sirius?" she whispered in shock.
"In the flesh," Sirius said, holding his arms out wide. Lyra wrinkled her nose at the smell that wafted off the former inmate.
"Yes, the smelly flesh. What did you do, roll around in your own dog poo?" Lyra asked, pinching her nose to hopefully stop the pervasive smell from invading her nostrils any further.
Nope. Now she could taste it. Yay.
"Well living on the run isn't exactly easy. That's what you're here for though; clearing my name," he said.
"Yes well, I think your name will be cleared far easier when you don't kill everyone just on your stench alone," Narcissa snarked. Sirius grinned before jerking forward, wafting his smell closer to Narcissa. "Don't you dare, you old mutt," she threatened. Sirius wisely stood still before the older witch crept closer. She placed her hand tenderly to his cheek. "Those monsters are going to pay for what they've done to you," she whispered.
"Here I thought all these years that you didn't care for me," he said cheekily. Narcissa snatched her hand away and gave him a smile.
"Oh, believe me, cousin, I don't," she said sarcastically. Both Lyra and Sirius knew the older witch didn't mean it. "I was merely thinking about the audacity the ministry had to imprison a Black without so much as proper evidence. We'll simply have to show them the error of their ways." Her smile was vicious as she spoke, banishing all doubt from their minds about pulling this off.
"Let's get you upstairs before anyone else knocks on my door. Merlin, it would be bad if Amelia showed up," Lyra muttered as she ushered the haggard escapee to the stairs. "Please, I know it'll be tough but please just stay up here. We're not ready yet and…I really want this to go well with everyone," she begged. Sirius nodded. "Not that I'm not glad you're here, cousin, you just have really awful timing."
"Of course kiddo. The house of Black is in hands far more capable then mine," he said before turning around and tripping on the landing, uttering a string of curses. Naturally, something happened that hadn't happened before. The picture that had been covered by a dirty old sheet woke up.
"Who's there?!" It screeched.
"This isn't going to be good," Narcissa muttered. Lyra looked at her in confusion.
"Why? What's wrong with that portrait?" she asked.
"It's Walburga. I'd know that voice anywhere. She and Sirius hated each other before he ran away from home," Narcissa explained. "Walburga is Sirius' mother."
The sheet flew open to reveal a dreadful looking woman with gray hair and wide sunken eyes. Yellowed teeth were bared in a vicious snarl.
"Blood traitor! A blood traitor in the house of my fathers!" the portrait screeched. "Blood traitors one and all for hosting this filth!" it shouted.
"Will you shut up you old hag!" Sirius shouted over the portrait. His face had turned red and he was shaking either with anger or tiredness.
"A stain of dishonor on the noble House of Black! A disease, a plague!" it continued to shout.
"Aunt Walburga would you please be quiet!" Narcissa tried. The portrait paused before the enraged expression returned to her face.
"Abiding blood traitors! Have you no shame, girl? Send him back to his rightful place!" it screeched.
"Enough!" Lyra shouted. "You will be quiet or I will have you removed and burned!"
"And who are you girl? By the eyes and hair I'd say you're the spawn of Andromeda that I'd heard about before my untimely demise!" the portrait said.
"I am Lady Lyra Morgana Black, head of the ancient and most noble House of Black. You will cease your babbling or I will hold true to my promise!" Lyra commanded. The portrait quieted down as Lyra lifted her wand, prepared to blast the damn thing with a bombarda when a pop echoed in the already cramped landing.
"Please, leave poor mistress alone!" Kreacher begged.
"Then please, keep her quiet for the rest of the night. If you can do that, she can stay where she is," Lyra said to the aging elf. Kreacher nodded quickly, his floppy ears all over the place before he popped away to continue last minute preparations.
Lyra breathed a sigh of relief before a knock sounded on the door again.
"Shit! You need to hide, Sirius. Amelia cannot see you!" Lyra hissed as she flew back down the stairs.
"Quiet as the dead," Sirius called before a door clicked shut.
Narcissa came down a moment later right as Lyra was reaching for the doorknob. The older blonde gave a quick nod. Everything was ready.
"A Galleon says that it's Amelia and Susan," Lyra smirked.
"I wouldn't bet against my sister. I'll take you on that," Narcissa said, returning a smirk of her own as Lyra turned the nob.
"Damnit!" Lyra exclaimed, much to the shocked faces of both Amelia and Andromeda. "Well I guess neither of us wins," she pouted, looking to the blonde behind her.
"You're filthy rich, I don't see what you're so upset about," Narcissa returned as both women recovered.
"It's the fun of it," Lyra explained, whining a bit before turning to her guests. "Sorry about that. Welcome to the Black ancestral home. Come in, foods ready whenever you are."
"Might I ask what that was all about?" Andromeda asked.
"Narcissa and I bet a galleon on which of you would show up first. Since you were both at the door, neither of us won," Lyra grumped before hugging both Susan and Tonks; she offered a hand to Ted who took it. "Good to see you, Uncle Ted," she said before making a weird face. "Oh, that feels weird on the tongue. Gonna take some getting used to calling anyone aunt or uncle. Ha!"
It was then that Andromeda noticed.
"Lyra, your scar?" she asked. Lyra nodded, hand going automatically to the place her scar had been.
"Yes. When I pranked Tonks I – well I decided enough was enough. I looked in the mirror as I changed and watched it fade away then I just…decided it was time to move on," Lyra explained, looking nervously at her hands. After so many years of having the scar on her face, she felt a little naked. The scar gave her an edge. When she had looked in the mirror after waking up the next morning, she hardly recognized herself for a moment.
"Well, I think you look absolutely adorable, Lyra," Tonks said, patting the younger metamorph on the cheek.
Lyra playfully batted the hand away before turning to properly greet her guests. "Ahem, sorry. Thank you for coming to this housewarming party. The House of Black welcomes you," she said with a bow at the waist. Andromeda smiled and curtsied before lightly smacking her daughter. Tonks awkwardly did the same as Ted bowed before extending his hand. Lyra took the offered hand where he kissed her ring.
Amelia and Susan both followed, doing the same without kissing the ring.
"It's good to see you all. Thank you for coming," Lyra said as she ushered them inside to the living room.
For Andromeda, this was a surreal experience. She never thought she'd walk these halls again, never see the paintings. Unlike Narcissa who had few good memories, Andromeda looked back on the sisters and their time here with nostalgia.
"Is it like you remember?" Lyra murmured. Andromeda startled, broken out of her thoughts.
"It's brighter. It doesn't feel as heavy as it used to. It's like the house is finally able to breathe," Andi explained.
"Good. I was hoping you'd say that. This house was simply dreadful when I first stepped through the door. I'm honestly just thankful I made it through the door," Lyra said, muttering the last part. Andromeda gave her a confused look, but the girl simply waved it away. "Anyways, why don't you go and enjoy yourself. You don't even have to cook tonight, and you can take any leftovers if you want! Maybe I could even convince you to let your hair down!" Lyra said, bumping her elbow jokingly into Andi's side.
The older woman laughed before nodding. "Yes, I think I will let my hair down a little bit," she said. Andi walked into the living room and began talking to Amelia. Lyra herself was just about to join them when there was another knock on the door.
"Daphne! You made it!" Lyra said as she gingerly hugged her friend. The blonde hugged back with a smile. "Are these your parents?" she asked, referring to the two adults behind Daphne. The Slytherin nodded.
"Yes. Lady Black, it's my pleasure to introduce my father, Lord Cyrus Greengrass, and my mother, Lady Jeannette Greengrass," Daphne said. Jeannette gave a polite curtsy while Cyrus took Lyra's offered hand. Lyra stood tall and welcomed them in.
"So glad you could make it. I was worried the invitation would be too short notice," Lyra said with a smile.
"It was a bit tight, but not unexpected, dear," Jeannette said with a warm smile. "You're still learning after all. The typical time to give notice of a party or get together is between one to two weeks. Four days would be considered rude by some of the more traditionalist snobs," she explained.
"Ah. Apologies then. Still, thank you for coming," Lyra said honestly. "The next one will definitely be done correctly. Why don't you join everyone in the living room? There's food and drinks. Amelia Bones and her niece are already here, as are the Tonks'." She said.
"How've you been?" Daphne asked as her parents walked into the living room. The concern in her voice was sincere and put a small smile on Lyra's face. She visibly relaxed, her hair going from her serious black and curly hair to straight and blue.
"I'm tired already. Narcissa is a bloody menace with all this pureblood stuff. I know I have to learn it if I don't want to make a fool of myself, but still!" Lyra said, guiding Daphne into the tapestry room where she had set up a few chairs for when Hermione and Ron had gotten here.
"You'll get used to it; if anyone can, it'd be you," Daphne said, reaching across the gap between them and patting Lyra on the knee. "Now, tell me how you've been outside of learning to be a pureblood?" she asked. Lyra nodded.
"It's been good…I have family, I think that was honestly the most shocking thing," Lyra said quietly, the smallest of smiles gracing her face. Daphne swore she heard her own heart break a little bit at how happy just having a family made her friend.
"It's good seeing you happy," Daphne commented with a smile. Lyra laughed.
"How've you been? Your summer alright?" she asked.
"Yeah. Been studying a lot; mostly runes. What about you? You been keeping up with your studies?" Daphne asked.
"As you might be able to imagine, I haven't really had time…or I should say I haven't really made time. Believe me, I would love to just sit down, doodle a bunch of runes in my journal or translate them," Lyra explained with an eye roll. Daphne gave her a sympathetic look.
"It's alright. You'll find a rhythm soon and then you'll have more time. How's spending time with Narcissa? I've only met her a few times. Nice woman," Daphne asked.
"Narcissa's been wonderful. A gift from Merlin himself, if I'm being honest. I would be absolutely clueless without her," Lyra admitted.
"It was all over the papers when you annulled the marriage between her and Lucius. There were quite a few in the gray families that breathed a sigh of relief when you did that," Daphne said. Lyra gave her a confused look. "Basically, it gave him a claim to the Black family seat in the Wizengamot as well as the Black fortune when Draco became of age to inherit it. The Malfoy family would've reigned with an iron fist within the Wizengamot if that had happened," Daphne explained.
"I won't pretend like I understand everything you said, but I know enough to know that it would've been bad," Lyra said. She laughed bitterly for a moment. "You must think me so unfit to be given so much power."
"No," Daphne said, shaking her head. "Not at all. If anything, I think you're exactly what our world needs. You're an outsider, in a manner of speaking. You're not marred down by the status quo or tradition. With your name, you hold a lot of sway within our government."
"Maybe…" Lyra said contemplatively, a frown on her face. Daphne was going to ask what was wrong when there was another knock on the door.
"Hermione! Ron!" Lyra exclaimed as she opened up the door. She yanked two of her best friends into a hug, knowing that they, unlike Daphne, didn't care about being proper. "Mr and Mrs Weasley, Fred, George," she greeted courteously. Mrs. Weasley pulled her in for a bone crushing hug that immediately made her grateful for air.
"It's been so long since we've seen you, dear! You don't come around nearly as often as Harry!" the woman said with a mock accusatory tone, though she couldn't fight the grin off her face.
"I know. Sorry about that. Before all this mess, Minerva was a stickler for studying and preparing," Lyra said fondly.
"She's not going to be here tonight, is she?" Ron asked fearfully. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
"No, Ron," Lyra said with a shake of her head. Ron sighed in relief
"Thank Merlin. I haven't done any of my summer work yet," he said with a goofy grin. Hermione glared and smacked him upside the head.
"Honestly Ronald," she grumbled.
"Why don't you all come in. There's plenty of food, and I've got something I think both you and Daphne will enjoy. I've been saving it for when you got here," Lyra explained. Hermione immediately looked curious as the Weasley clan all filed in.
"Where's Ginny?" Lyra asked as she noticed the youngest Weasley wasn't among them.
"Oh, she's hanging out with Luna on a nargle hunt," George explained. Lyra laughed fondly.
"Ah. I should've guessed that's why she couldn't come tonight," she chuckled. "I sent her a letter and she said she had 'very important business that simply couldn't be put off.'"
"That sounds like Luna," Fred said with a laugh before joining his brother in the living room.
"Come on. I've got to say a few words now that everyone's here before I show you and Daphne the surprise," Lyra explained before joining the gathered people in the living room.
Immediately they all turned their attention to her as she tapped on a crystal glass.
"Thank you all so much for coming. It's a bit small, for a housewarming party according to Narcissa, but it means all the same to me that you're here. My friends, family, family of friends who totally didn't have to come but you did anyway. I don't know half of you as well as I'd like, but I hope to change that soon. I didn't have a family or very many friends before Hogwarts, but suddenly I find myself even more out of my depth then I did then. I'm thankful that all of you are here to support me in some way."
"I don't know where I'd be right now without Narcissa helping me this far, but I'm glad you're my godmother. Andromeda, I've known you since I was thirteen, a little over a year now. I didn't know you were family then, but you took me in for a week and a half and treated me as good as if I was. Tonks…well there's not much to say except we're family now, and honestly? I'm not sure I can handle that much crazy being related to me, but I'm sure I'll make do," Lyra said, earning a chuckle from everyone and a glare from the older metamorph that turned into a smile.
"Hermione, Ron, though we're missing one of our quartet, you've been my closest friends for the last three years, and I couldn't be more grateful. Daphne, we met in runes and arithmancy class and bonded over our shared misery in those classes. Mr and Mrs. Greengrass, I don't really know you, but I hope we can work together in the future and make a difference in our world. Mr and Mrs' Weasley. I don't know you either, my fault in all honesty, but I hope to. Anyone who can put up with Ron is okay in my book. Fred and George, the pranksters of Gryffindor. Who knows, maybe with your minds and my talents, we could work together soon," Lyra said, earning a series of groans from everyone who knew what kind of trouble they'd get into before everyone clapped.
"I'm so gonna get you back for that," Tonks said. Lyra smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
"Suuure you are, cousin," Lyra said, ignoring the heat coming from her ring. "I'm head of the Black family, which means that ring on your finger says you're family. You can't get me back," she said smugly. Tonks snorted.
"Keep telling yourself that, pipsqueak," Tonks said. Lyra rolled her eyes before heading over to Narcissa.
"Can you keep an eye on things for a bit? I want to show Daphne and Hermione the library," she whispered. Narcissa nodded before heading to the main grouping to play hostess as Lyra, Daphne, and Hermione slipped upstairs.
Lyra led them to a series of ornate double doors that hadn't been there until Kreature had rebuilt and cleaned up the house. "Ladies, welcome to the Black library," Lyra said, pushing open the doors. Hermione and Daphne both walked in with their jaws on the floor as the candles lit every corner of the room. "I have to warn you, Narcissa and I haven't gone over every single book yet with Kreature, so many of them are cursed and I don't know what they do. The non-cursed books are on the far end of the bookshelves," she explained.
Undeterred, Hermione still looked at as many books as she could.
"This is amazing!" she whispered. Lyra smiled and held open the library door.
"I know, but try and tear yourselves away from it. You can come over anytime, but right now there's a party. It'd be awfully rude of me to only spend time with you two," she explained.
Both girls reluctantly turned away from the library and headed downstairs.
Red=angry
Gray=nervous/anxious/irritated
Orange=happy/excited
Blue=sad/overwhelmed
Purple=worried/concerned/frustrated
Green=jealous/suspicious
Brown=content/relaxed
Yellow=afraid/shocked
Pink=amusement/surprise
Silver=determination
Light blue=embarrassment
AN: This turned into an awfully long chapter. The rest of them won't be like this. I just couldn't seem to stop so, here you go.
