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 Forty-Two

Lyra woke with a start, gasping for breath. Her racing heart felt like it was going to beat straight out of her chest.

"You're alright. You're safe," came a gentle whispered voice. Lyra looked over, wide eyed, to see Amelia sitting beside her.

"Where am I?" she asked. Amelia laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You're at the Ossuary. I brought you hear after the attack at the world cup. Do you remember?" Amelia asked, gently taking Lyra by the chin and looking directly at her.

Lyra squeezed her eyes tightly, fighting off a small headache.

"Yes, I remember. There were Death Eaters everywhere. They-they had me and the girl surrounded," Lyra whispered, her hair turning blue and yellow as the night flashed through her mind. "They were just toying with me." And wasn't that an awful realization. Lyra had thought herself to be a good duelist. Last night proved she had a very long way to go if she someday wanted to be the best. Merlin, she hoped she could move and fight like Celestia one day.

"Lyra," Amelia said firmly, cupping the girl's cheeks. "Look at me. It's over. You and Gabrielle are okay."

"Right," Lyra nodded, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She'd never been so scared in her life like she was last night. She jumped a little when the door to her room opened, and she looked up to see Susan peaking in before fully stepping inside.

"I heard voices. Sounded like you were awake," Susan said softly, padding over to the bed before sitting on the corner. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got run over by the knight bus," Lyra grumbled, earning a chuckle from both Susan and Amelia.

"That does happen in high stress situations," Amelia said, remembering her first few scrapes as an auror.

"Yeah, I know that now," Lyra muttered. Suddenly there was a growling sound as the girl looked down. Her hair shifted to a light blue as her hands flew to her stomach. Amelia chuckled.

"Come on. Let's get some food in you. Narcissa is probably anxious to see you," she said.

"Narcissa's here?" Lyra asked in surprise.

"Yup," Amelia nodded. "Spent the night in the guest room. I imagine she's downstairs with a nice cup of tea by now though. She was very worried when I floo called her last night."

Lyra took a moment to get out of bed before throwing a robe on over her pajamas, a pair that Amelia had transfigured from her clothes from last night.

"Lyra!" Narcissa cried as she rushed over from the kitchen island. "Oh, Merlin I was so worried. I heard from Amelia and then the paper this morning. I knew I shouldn't've let you go alone. This has Lucius written all over it, probably wanted to relive the glory days with his merry band of terrorists!" she fretted, looking over every inch of her goddaughter.

"Narcissa!" Lyra tried to gain her godmothers attention. "Aunt Cissy!" she tried again. That got her attention as she shifted dark brown eyes to look at the girl. "I'm fine," she reassured in a gentle tone, taking Narcissa's hand. "I promise, I'm not hurt." In all honesty, she was feeling rather warm and fuzzy right now, surrounded by her family, by those that she loved and loved her in return (minus Sirius since he couldn't technically be here, but she fully expected to be slobbered on in the near future).

Narcissa took a breath before hugging Lyra tight. "I don't know what I'd do if you'd been hurt," she whispered into her goddaughter's ear. "I've only known you for a few months, but I love you like you were my own. It's probably the godmother ritual influencing me since Bellatrix isn't around, but I see you as a daughter. If I lost you, or you'd been hurt…" Narcissa let the words hang in the air, unable to finish them because she couldn't even bring herself to think about that situation or what she'd do. She'd do the same for her son as well, if he was here.

"It's alright, Aunt Cissy. I'm safe, a little woozy from last night, but I'm fine," Lyra answered softly, closing her eyes and sinking into Narcissa's embrace. She felt a hand gently come to rest right at the base of her neck. The touch was so gentle and good feeling that she froze, her breath catching in her throat for just a moment. She tightened her arms around Narcissa's waist, enjoying the warm sensation that flowed through her. One thought entered into her mind in that moment.

Why couldn't Narcissa have been her mother? Nothing else would be different except for the kidnapping part and Narcissa being her mother.

"Thank you for caring," Lyra whispered, her voice barely registering in the blonde's ears.

"Always," Narcissa replied, her warm breath tickling the top of Lyra's head.

Her stomach ruined the moment a split second later, though nobody seemed to care.

"I'll have Flopsy make us breakfast," Amelia said. "Then you can get home and change, relax for a bit. You've had a rough night."

"I think you're right, Amelia," Lyra sighed, content to just remain near Narcissa, though the older blonde hummed a slight negative tone.

"Not quite, after certainly, but when we get home, Andromeda will be coming over to start working on the family finances, look over the investments, the portfolio's, everything else that doesn't need her immediate attention though can be saved for a later date," Narcissa explained.

"Ah, right, forgot about that," Lyra muttered. "Hippogriff kinda derailed the original plan."

Amelia snorted from her spot at the kitchen table, though otherwise remained silent. She did have an amused gleam in her eye, however.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

After eating breakfast, Lyra and Narcissa returned to Grimmauld Place where Lyra showered, changed clothes, and took a potion for her headache that Narcissa had pushed into her hands as soon as she'd walked back downstairs.

"When's Andi supposed to be here?" Lyra asked, gathering up the folders and documents the Gringotts account manager had sent her the other day.

"Ten, and you really should be relaxing," Narcissa replied. Lyra looked to the clock on the wall; nine forty-five.

"Alright, that gives me some time to talk to you about something," Lyra said, ignoring the last part, as she took her seat behind the large oak desk. Narcissa sat across from her, a questioning look in her eyes.

"Go on?"

"Well, I know you probably don't think much of the Weasley's, but the twins have a rather…unique business venture they've been trying to make headway on with limited success. Now, I think that they have a real shot at succeeding, but only if they have the funds," Lyra said.

"You want to give them some money?" Narcissa asked, steepling her fingers as she stared contemplatively at her goddaughter. Lyra hummed an affirmative. "It's risky, as all loans are for new businesses."

"See that's the thing. I don't think it is. Zonko's is the only magical prank shop anywhere, they have no real competition, no reason to innovate. They've grown stagnant. I've been in their shops a few times, seen Fred and George snooping around a few times more, and their inventory never changes. The things I've seen the twins do with their products is…it's staggering!" Lyra exclaimed.

"I've heard such things from Draco in his letters home, yes. Those two seem to favor testing their products on Slytherins," Narcissa said, rolling her eyes. Lyra chuckled.

"I'm well aware. What I'm proposing is a serious deal. Not to mention, I think it's a good start to getting the Black name out into the world again."

"It has its merits. When Andi arrives, we'll talk to her, see what she thinks of it, and then we can go from there," Narcissa suggested.

"I was thinking the same thing." Lyra turned her chair when she heard a tapping on the window. An owl from the Daily Prophet then. She stood, opened the window, and allowed the rather large barn owl into her office. "What have you got for me?" Lyra muttered as she took the roll of parchment off the owls leg. It immediately flew away, so the Daily Prophet didn't want an immediate response, it seemed.

"Lady Lyra Morgana Black, Duchess of Blackmore,"

"Duchess of Blackmore?" Lyra asked.

"Don't ask, nobody uses the proper noble titles anymore except for the Prophet when they're trying to suck up to whoever they want to write a hack piece on. They seem to think it'll win them points, make the targets of their articles more comfortable around them and they'll slip up about some scandalous detail or another. It's downright predatory that they're doing this to you when you've not even been the lady of a Noble house for the entire summer," Narcissa growled.

"Lady Lyra Morgana Black, Duchess of Blackmore,

The Daily Prophet received word just this morning that you were present during the attack on the World cup. We would very much appreciate a moment of your valuable time for a comment or even an interview to get your thoughts on such a harrowing ordeal in order to accompany our earlier report on the initial attack. If you are interested, please respond with either a comment, or a time in which you would wish to meet.

I think I speak for many of our readers when I say that we are glad you made it out alive.

Sincerely,

Chief Editor for the Daily Prophet,

Barnabas Cuffe"

"Well?" Lyra asked, laying down the letter.

"I think you should do the interview," Narcissa said after a moment of thought. Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You were the one that said the Prophet were a bunch of vultures. You also said that they wouldn't hesitate to turn anything back around on me? Not to mention, they absolutely dragged Amelia through the dirt on the lackluster security!" she grumbled, tossing down the letter. She'd read the 'Special paper' about the attack already, and the words this 'Rita Skeeter' had to say about Amelia and the Ministry were far from gentle. Amelia didn't deserve to be talked about like that.

"I know, but at this point, if you don't do anything, they'll write whatever they want about you, make you look weak, or scared, and Lucius will take full advantage of that," Narcissa explained. Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed loudly through her nose. She shook her head.

"Fine," she said before taking out a roll of parchment and a quill. "Next weekend should work, right? I go back to Hogwarts that coming Wednesday, so it's not too much of an inconvenience."

"I agree," Narcissa said. She was about to say more when a small bell wrang inside the office. "That'll be Andi."

xoxoxooxoxxoxoxoxoxox

"Glad you could make it," Lyra said as she welcomed Andromeda into the living room. She'd arrived by floo rather than apparition.

"Of course. It wouldn't do to be late for my new job," Andi chuckled. Lyra smiled as she hugged her taller aunt. Seriously, it was rather jarring how much taller Andi was than Narcissa. According to the both of them, Andromeda had gotten her height from Cygnus who'd been well over six feet tall, whereas Andi was just a shade under that.

"Come on, we've got a bit of work to do," Lyra said with a small groan.

"Oh, you'll come to appreciate it like I did, I'm sure," Andi chuckled.

"Don't be so sure," Lyra muttered as she led Andi into the Black Office. Once she was seated in her official chair, she patted the stack of papers she, Narcissa, and Goldclaw had deemed the most important for Andi to familiarize herself with. Then she got into 'Lady of House Black' mode.

The change was small, almost insignificant, but it was there. Her back straightened, her gaze sharpened, and she appeared more confident and assertive. Andromeda knew the house was in good hands.

"Now, these are all the most important papers I want you focusing on. I want you to figure out what money needs to go where and what should take priority," Lyra started, pushing the stack forward. "These are the investments, what companies we have money in, how much money they've made us, what should be sold, and Goldclaw has even included a few that Gringotts has labeled as 'promising' for startups. I may be only fourteen, but even I can see that our world has stagnated. It needs new business," she finished. Andromeda pulled a few from the pile and looked through several before nodding.

"With your leave, I'll take these home and look them over, see how much damage Walburga did before she died, and see what can be saved. If worse comes to worse, we may have to look through the vaults, maybe sell a few things, or even collect on a lot of debts," Andromeda advised. "I can already tell just by glancing at this that the goblins did a patch job. The amount of money Walburga and Arcturus allowed to walk out the door is absolutely staggering. From what I remember, the gold vault alone stood at nearly thirty million galleons."

Lyra blew out a breath. It was a lot worse than she thought, then.

"From what I've been able to read, after Arcturus died, and Walburga transferred everything from his manor into this house, he didn't even seem aware of what his sister was doing. What I've read from Walburga suggests that she was actively trying to usurp Arcturus and make herself the head of the family, then by extension, Regulus when she eventually passed. She died, never knowing that the son she thought she'd expelled was actually the Lord Black," Lyra explained, looking at a row of journals sitting neatly on a shelf to her right. Andromeda shook her head.

"I knew it was bad, but I never had any idea it was this bad. I've got a lot of work ahead of me trying to sort out the shell companies and familial loans that Walburga used to fund the Dark Lord, because I can guarantee that that is where most of the money went,," Andi muttered. "The bank fees didn't help either."

"Do what you can. Take the Debt logs, call in what you can if you deem it necessary," Lyra stated. She was just beginning to realize that she oversaw a house taking on too much water. If she didn't get it under control soon, the Noble and Ancient house of Black would sink.

"If that's everything?" Andi asked, making to stand.

"Yes, for now. I do want you back here next week, we have a…business meeting," Lyra said, an innocent smirk on her face.

"A business deal, already? My my, dear niece, we'll make a tycoon out of you yet," Andi teased. "Who's the lucky first customer?"

"The Weasley twins. I won't say anymore, I told them to come to me next week when you and I will be meeting to go over what can be done to improve the house financials," Lyra explained. Andi nodded.

"Alright then. I'll see you next week," Andi said with a smile. "Oh, and when you see my daughter, please tell her that it is perfectly acceptable to write to her mother every once and a while," She threw out as she walked to the door.

"I'll be sure to tell her," Lyra joked, watching Andi take the floo powder before she vanished in a green flash.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"So, with school starting soon, why don't we go and collect the things you'll be needing?" Narcissa asked on a slow day. It had been particularly slow for the last few days after Andi had taken the Black financial books, and she'd given a small interview to the Daily Prophet about her ordeal as they called it(she still hadn't seen that interview in the paper yet, but she had a feeling it wouldn't paint her in a favorable light), but today was something entirely different. It was just…a very slow day, to the point that even Narcissa didn't have anything to lecture Lyra with about pureblood society.

"Sure, get all the shopping out of the way. I can get behind that. Anything to get out of the house," Lyra said.

And so it was, a half hour later (a lot of that time spent getting Lyra presentable as a Lady of a noble house ought to be), they arrived in Diagon Alley.

"Alright, where to start?" Narcissa asked aloud, looking around the alley.

"Why not books? I've got the list of everything we'll need," Lyra said, holding up the letter listing off every book she'd need for her fourth year at Hogwarts.

"An excellent suggestion!" Narcissa praised as the two headed off to the bookshop.

"Oh, and we also have to stop by the pet store and grab a few things for Umbra, I'm rather afraid I've been very busy lately and not been treating her like the princess she is," Lyra chuckled.

"Of course, we should also get a few rune carving supplies for you as well since I'm sure you'll be doing a little of your own practice," Narcissa added. They rounded the corner to the bookstore, pushing the heavy door open to see all the odd stacks of books everywhere. Surprisingly, it wasn't too crowded.

"Ah, welcome to Obscurus Books! Hogwarts students?" the man running the counter asked, leaning forward ever so slightly.

"Yes, fourth year," Lyra replied.

"I have a standard selection here for your main courses," The man said, placing a stack of books on the old wooden counter consisting of the books for the four main courses. "You'll have to find the books for your electives though," the man added. Lyra nodded and began wading through the stacks of books and shelves to find 'Secrets of Rune carving' and 'Arithmancy: Anatomy of a spell.' Through the title of the arithmancy book alone, Lyra could gauge exactly where Professor Vector would be taking them this year. Hopefully by fifth year, she would have an understanding of how to create spells using her own wit. An unknown spell in the dueling arena would be more than helpful, as well as create advantages her opponents wouldn't have.

Eventually finding the books she needed, she paid for everything and had it sent off with an owl back home. With that taken care of, she picked up food and several interesting looking treats from Veronica's, talked with the woman about a snake she had bred(a mix between a python and a runespoor of all things) before getting her Rune supplies.

All in all, a rather relaxing day of shopping. Narcissa hadn't even suggested going into Twilfit and Tattings!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"Finally home!" Lyra declared as Kreacher took their bags.

"I agree," Narcissa smiled.

"I think I'll take a nap before going to Tonks' housewarming thing tonight."

"You're still not sleeping well, are you?" Narcissa asked, staring with deep concern at her niece. Lyra nodded, eyes flicking down and away from Narcissa's piercing blue eyes. She was very concerned for her niece; she'd been having nightmares the last few days after the attack at the world cup. "I can get you a potion of dreamless sleep, but I would recommend taking it for when you actually need to get a good nights rest."

"No, I'm…fine. I'm fine. I just…I can't stop dreaming about it, you know?" Lyra asked.

"I get it. It was a very scary moment in your life, Lyra, but it does no good to give those…foul people any more mind than they deserve. Do not give in to your fear, for that is exactly what they thrive on."

"I just wish I knew how to deal with it!" Lyra exclaimed. "I was scared, bloody terrified, actually! I can admit that, so why am I still having these nightmares?"

"I don't know. I do know that everyone processes things differently. I also know that if you wanted, there would be know shame in seeing a mind healer about it, see what they say?" Narcissa suggested. Lyra bit her lip but eventually nodded.

"Maybe. I'll think about it. For now, I'll just go take that nap," she said softly, more than a few things now on her mind.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Lyra woke with a gasp, again, for the fifth time in as many days.

It was the same nightmare. The girl was dead, and she herself was about to meet a very sticky end at the wand of Mathias Parkinson.

She sat up in her bed, swinging her legs over the edge before leaning forward to rest her head in her hands. A long sigh escaped her lips before she sat up.

She'd dealt with her nightmares growing up without anyone to help her; she'd do it again. This was no different. Not at all.

Looking at the clock on the wall, she began to get ready for tonight. A comfortable pair of pants and a loose shirt were all she threw on before packing a pair of pajamas into an expanded bag that looped around her waist, looking for all the world like a small pouch that couldn't fit more than a few meager items. Slipping on her shoes, she headed downstairs.

"Alright, you've got everything for tonight?" Narcissa asked as Lyra nodded at the little bag on her hip.

"Yes Narcissa, I've got everything," She replied in an amused tone. "You act like I'll be gone for a month. I'm just going to Tonks' flat for a housewarming. Granted I'll be alone with her and few of her friends since Hermione decided that homework was more fun, but I'll be fine!"

"I know. Just…lay off the drinking. You're only fourteen," Narcissa implored. Lyra smiled.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of drinking," Lyra assured. And that was true. She'd seen quite a few homes and families ruined by drugs and alcohol.

The corner of Narcissa's lips quirked up as she looked at her niece with soft eyes "Don't mind me, I just worry far too much for a woman my age."

"No, I…I think it's nice, having someone worry about me," Lyra replied, wrapping an arm around Narcissa's waist. The two hugged for a moment longer before Lyra once again headed to the fireplace, calling out Tonks' address, and disappearing in an emerald fire.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Glad you could make it, Cuz!" Tonks exclaimed as Lyra exited the fire. She gave a bright smile to her mentor/cousin/older sister figure, and handing over a small bag.

"Here, Narcissa thought it might be a nice housewarming present," Lyra explained. Tonks set the bag on the table without opening it, right next to several others.

"Come on, we're saving the gifts for later when we've all had a bit of fun. Let me show you around the place though and introduce you to some of my friends!" Tonks said excitedly. Lyra could already smell the scent of alcohol on Tonks' breath, but nothing that would indicate too much. If it was any indication though of how Tonks planned to spend the night, Lyra was looking forward to it. She'd heard enough stories about Tonks to know that she was a fall down hilarious drunk when she got going with her morphs.

"Nice kitchen!" Lyra complimented. The design was a bit dated; the building having been built sometime in the eighties, but it had been kept clean since then. Modern appliances were tucked away in little corners, though the bright almost neon wallpaper put the kitchen in a weird juxtaposition of old and new. Tonks was currently taller than refrigerator, something that Lyra now realized she hadn't seen at all in the magical world(come to think of it, she hadn't seen anything electronic since she'd gone to Hogwarts). She shrunk down almost by habit to grab a butterbeer for Lyra before growing again.

"So I guess you're a grower, not a shower?" Lyra quipped, causing Tonks to snort her drink that she'd just opened. Several laughs came from the what Lyra guessed was the living room.

The living room of the apartment was more of a shoebox compared to the living room in Grimmauld place, but Tonks looked so proud of herself as she showed her cousin everything, before introducing her to her friends.

"So, this is Hestia jones, one of my best friends from Hogwarts and, get this, she was a 'Claw! She also works with me in the department!" Tonks exclaimed as Lyra shook Hestia's hand.

"It's good to meet you," Lyra said.

"You as well, Lady Black," Hestia replied.

"Please, none of that. Any friend of Tonks is a friend of mine," Lyra said in return, speaking to the few people gathered for the housewarming.

Next, she was introduced to Samuel Morrison, an older man (older by only a few years, as he had to specify since Tonks delighted in making him sound like an old man), who was the man responsible for Tonks' investigative work.

She was then introduced to Octavia Fortescue.

"Oh! Merlin, you must either have a sweet tooth or it's completely dead with all the ice cream I'm sure you've had over the years," Lyra joked.

"Ha!" Octavia barked out a laugh. "You're not wrong, though it seems to fluctuate. One week I'll absolutely abhor sweets, and then the next and cant help but go out and buy a whole pallet of chocolate frogs!" Her face twisted in delight as she reached into a bag that had been sitting off to the side of the couch. "Speaking of chocolate frogs!" she proceeded to pull out several boxes of the sweet treat, handing them out to everybody.

"Well, now that everyone's here, let's officially kick this off!" Tonks exclaimed, knocking back her beer. Everyone else did the same, though Lyra was the only one drinking something non-alcoholic.

It was well past midnight when it happened, everyone was pretty well and truly toasted, and everyone was saying what was on their mind.

It was just reaching 12:15 when Tonks let slip the secret.

"Merlin, Lyra!" she slurred, throwing an arm over Lyra's shoulders. The younger metamorph laughed at her cousins antics. Any more to drink, and she knew Tonks wouldn't be able to stand upright. "I'm so gla-glad you know everything now! God, you have no idea how infuriating it was having my mother keep secrets from you!"

Lyra's brow scrunched together, her head tilting to the side. Tonks thought it was the most adorable thing in the world, not quite sensing the mood.

"What secret was she keeping from me?" she asked lightly, almost amused at the thought of what Tonks considered a secret. Knowing her, it was probably something stupid.

"That we're family, of course!" Tonks exclaimed, gesturing wildly. Her face turned sheepish as she looked around before turning back to her cousin. "Shhhh! She didn't think it was abig deal, keeping it from you, but I told her, I did, that you'd be upset. Didn't matter though, you found out all on your own! You're so smart, and clever!"

"Tonks I don't see how that was a secret? When would your mother have ever found before me?" Lyra asked, her heart sinking into her chest.

"When you came over that first time!" Tonks said, waving her arms around, mimicking dueling motions with her wand arm. "Remember! I was teaching you how to be a badass like me, and you slipped, got blood everywhere, mum cleaned it up, did a potion or two, sent me to talk to Bellatrix, and then bam, she knew for sure!" Tonks' face turned thoughtful for a moment, not noticing the deep dark blue creeping into Lyra's hair and eyes. "Man though, I never thought I'd meet your mother, but boy am I glad it was the one time!"

"So…your mum knew for a year that we were related and didn't say anything?" Lyra asked, hurt coloring her voice in spades. By now, everyone present was staring awkwardly at the cousins having a drunken conversation that should've happened sober. "Wha-she…why?"

Tonks shrugged unhelpfully "Beats me, all I know was that she thought it was best you didn't know. I didn't really agree but, you know, she's my mum."

"Well…I'm glad you at least know yours," Lyra hissed, bitter anger flooding her mind as the blue gave way to blood red streaks. She felt a wet streak roll down her cheek as she stood up, angrily wiping at her face.

"Hey, where ya going?" Tonks protested.

"Home," Lyra whispered, not even able to look at Tonks. A woman she trusted.

Looked up to like an older sister.

One of her closest friends.

Her mentor.

A liar, just like everyone else.

Lyra floo'd out the fireplace, to the protest of everyone present, returning to her home in a fury.

AN: Now we officially begin what I have affectionately dubbed 'The Dark Year.' We'll definitely be getting into rather uncomfortable topics and changes to canon, as this is where I've decided to step off the canon rails. On that comforting thought, see you in the chapter.

Red=angry

Gray=nervous/anxious/irritated

Orange=happy/excited

Blue=sad/overwhelmed

Purple=worried/concerned/frustrated

Green=jealous/suspicious/grossed out

Brown=content/relaxed

Yellow=afraid/shocked

Pink=amusement/surprise/mischievous

Silver=determination

Light blue=embarrassment