All meanwhile, Lyra just stared off through the windows directly in front of her, just wondering what was going to happen now. However, the security she felt outweighed the shame by a mile and just tightened her sheet around her shoulders as a draft blew through the vast wing. Her ears seemed to ring from more of his forward tell-offs, which hardened her realization of how foolhardy she actually was… She knew his feelings towards it and whenever he would bring it up, she would instantly go on the defensive in a heartbeat. She did not know who her parents really were other than the fact that he knew them since his years at Hogwarts. There seemed to be complication whenever this Potter was brought up, with both jealousy and fascination. Yet, what of her mother? Prince always regarded her with a sort of respect, always stating that her kindness and love stemmed from Lily so naturally. His eyes were always sad whenever he spoke about her in any way. He was a complicated man, however, she knew him more than anyone here… It was among one of the facts that made her feel even more guilty than ever.

Despite all this thought weighing on her mind and soul, it was time to press on~ That very next evening, no doubt, after her stay at the Hospital Wing, Lyra was allowed to leave just in time for the daily dinner gathering in the Great Hall. With all these protective eyes about her, she had no mind of swaying off, especially since that little chat at the hospital and the event that fell apart a few days ago… It all made Lyra feel more like a problem rather than a young student, nowadays. However, the day was too much to think about now and she was beginning to feel some hunger pangs and sat at the near head of the Gryffindor Table, with talking to many of her fellow Housemates.

Others could see that she was in the foulest of moods, that even the Slytherins thought it foolish of even glowering at her. It was probably how much they knew just how close she was to the Potion's Master, and the least they would want was to earn his contempt as well… if they haven't earned it already.

Like normal, everyone was talking, bickering and jeering as they came in, with no doubt, mostly about the Quidditch teams and who made it on them or not. No one had a care in the world, unlike her, who noticed right off the bat that Professor Quirrell was nowhere among the gaggle of a gathering of the few teachers and neither did she see Prince yet. However, she was so distracted that she did not even listen to what her friends were saying as they all gathered about and sat down with her.

"You totally told that piss off al' good, didn't ya? Never thought I would have the courage…" Seamus chortled after he said those words, prodding a sore Lyra in the shoulder.

"This is not a delightful dinner conversation," Lyra glowered at her fellow.

"Golly, leave the lass alone, she's definitely not in the mood for your bark, Seamus!" Ron amazingly cut in, sitting himself between her and Seamus. "…sorry about him."

"It's all right," Lyra shook her head and took a portion of her hair to twirl it, nervously.

"How are you feeling?" Dean Thomas shot from the other end of the group.

"Better. A lot better, actually." she managed an answer before there was the tingling against a glass goblet.

It happened to be the rare occurrence of an announcement during a weeknight, of all times. It was such a surprise that the entire all were all silenced as though an alarm had gone off. Lyra ceased her slouching and sat up, able to catch a glimpse of the last of the teachers finally taking their seats. Jet black was enough for her heart to settle down~ however…

"The very best of evenings to you, my dear students." began the elderly Headmaster whose often twinkling eyes scanned them all over. "Do seat yourselves, and make yourselves comfortable. I do have a set of changes that I wish to announce before we all become quite enamored with our final meal of the day."

"Oh no, we're all in it thickly, aren't we?" Ronald cringed as even Lyra had winced. She did not have the courage entirely to meet her Sire's gaze at the Head Table.

"You're not helping," she hissed at him.

"During this week past, there seemed to have been a fair few quarrels recently, among the Houses. This matter involves the entire student body, as each quarrel had been over the most minuscule of dilemmas, I found. Color us all greatly disappointed." Headmaster Dumbledore's face seemed to sag even more as he scanned the Hall, ending it quickly at the Slytherin table that was down one, in particular. "We, at Hogwarts, condemn such behavior, and punishments are aligned with the crime, in question. This is a single warning from me, personally, because I do not desire ill fate falling upon any of you. Professors Orpheus and Minerva have been shaken to their core upon discovering the pettiness that caused the near-fatal fall of a Gryffindor student, at the defense of a Ravenclaw. You are all warned as of this moment. The punishments can range from nightly detentions to suspensions if one goes too far. I expect this sort will never happen again. Very well then. As soon as our evening meal concludes, I have arranged with our Caretaker, Mr. Filch, and our Grounds Keeper, Hagrid to ensure that the student body will be safely escorted back to the dormitories tonight~ We may continue on…"

As soon as this spine-tingling low spirited speech had ended, Professor Prince had to take his seat looking just as dire as the rest of the Head Table, if not worse. Lyra could tell that he was still soured ever since this whole thing started. The Hall did not even resume its usual gabbling chorus, even as the meal was given forth, filling the air with a luxurious smell.

"Merlin, he's not even looking at me…" Lyra growled to herself as she wanted to melt under the table. "Yes, I wish to earn his trust again — sure, Lyra, keep telling yourself that…"

"Don't beat yourself up, Lyra…"

Lyra took her knife and fork and began to vigorously cut along side her turkey leg upon her plate, with her mind riddled with worry. "Don't talk to me right now, Hermoine… I need to focus on my eating habits. I don't want him lecturing me on that either…" she angrilly replied before she took a bite, forcing it down quick.

"Yes, I am going to talk because I have much to talk about! Now you listen to me, right now… for moment ~ please do."

Lyra curled her hair over her shoulder to fiddle with it, however, she did manage to look her friend in the eye, immediately feeling the guilt of having snapped, however… Hermoine only looked like that one mother who was about to snap the whip down.

"No one in this school ever had the darned courage to stand up to Malfoy… Only you and Rebecca were brave enough to show him that Hogwarts, all of us, do not stand for such ridiculousness. Surely, getting on that broom was stupid - BUT, the attempt is admired by everyone. Everyone is talking about it!"

"I would have been worse off if he hadn't been there to catch me…" Lyra replied, staring into her goblet. "Now the teachers themselves are on edge… It was never my intention, but Professor Dumbledore, why he looks so sad… It's my fault." Lyra near hung her head before she saw Rebecca looking at them from the Ravenclaws as they ate and drank.

"You did something good, Lyra. Do not forget that."

"No doubt, even the ghosts are chortling!" Fred mentioned, from further down.

"No one was that balmy since Potter roamed these halls!" George sparked, right after.

Lyra tried to cover the side of her face as she picked at her food. "I should have seen this coming…"

"Oi, indeed you should have by a long shot! Though, we've only heard tales… James Potter was the youngest Seeker for Quidditch by far, and that is according to McGonagall. He used to be that one Gryffindor who always got into the most trouble though… He rounded up a group of them, it was as though they owned the place."

"Okay, sure, grand in all~ however… this whole thing was not about being a hotshot." Lyra fumed a little on the inside.

This had to be among one of the most uncomfortable meals she ever had at the castle thus far. Although, those escorts the Headmaster had foretold about… That was no joke. Students own owls all came through the rafters above and prodded their respectful owners to follow them. The meal was delicious and she was feeling a lot calmer now with a full stomach. With no doubt, as the Hall departed for the dormitories, Lyra saw Prince stand from his seat, locking his eyes on hers, and she chose go meet him beneath the final gargoyle torch before the High Table as the teachers glowered and dispersed for the night.

"… are you in any pain?" he calmly asked her.

"Just sore, sir. I feel much better." she softly replied, finding it hard to look up at him. However, one stroke over her shoulder helped her to see that sallow, careworn face.

"Relieving. Walk with caution, then. Go and rest up~ I will expect more from you, Lyra." was the sad drawl. "Your escort will greet you in the morning,"

Lyra swallowed, and at the pat on her back to head off, she began to follow her classmates, even with her head being full of questions. Orpheus watched her go with a sort of grimace slowly creeping on his face as both Minerva and Dumbledore came close. However, Quirinus Quirrell had not moved from his seat at all, with all these eyes about. He slowly began to rise.

"What am I going to do with her…?" Prince softly spoke, watching the students all herd out with their Prefects and owl guides.

"Keep her full of hope. It is all we have for now." McGonagall told him.

"Even hope can be damaging, even when we have no choice but to keep it close."

As it seemed to be expected, the heavy door behind them shut closed which did not earn a turn of either of their heads, as it was predicted. Dumbledore gravely hummed.

"Perhaps, our Trewlawny's prediction held more promise than we all gave her credit for." he slowly said, twinkling at the two. Prince remained as stoic as could be, even though he felt his heart well up tightly.

"Is it prepared entirely, Headmaster?" was Prince's nearly grated inquiry.

"Ever since he set foot among us, my boy. Fear not. He will not get far…"

Granted, that kick left a tender spot as days wore on, thus making her twist and turn through the night hours. Her Gryffindor side seemed to flare up at random intervals, apparently, as proved several times over this year. With scraping the slate clean for this new week, in order to never cross another line with him, Lyra had a mind to really earn an Outstanding on her Potions and Charms midterms that were fast approaching. They were a week away, and eventually word travelled and noticeboards boasted about the first Quidditch match of the season. Up to this point, Lyra made sure to make to every single one of those appointments as promised which would undo the leash he had set in stone. Just in time to see this match with her friends. At least that was what she hoped for…

Lyra soon took a breather at once when she finished scaling down the Grand Stair, expecting someone, pretty much, with much dismay too. It had been this way since her fall and she had no energy to fight against her Sire's wishes anymore…

Settling her book bag snug against her chest, she simply waited until something soft and frizzy cuddled against her leg and shoe. Two orbs of dashing red eyes met her green ones as a bushy tail whipped from side to side with the same demeanor as a foot tapping on the floor.

"Oh… Good morning, Mrs Norris." Lyra sighed a greeting to the impatient dusty cat. "I surely hope I wasn't late~" she continued, going along with those bossy, grumbly mews. "— for you, truly."

It was of no surprise when the feline gave a shrill hiss as she turned her tail to the Gryffindor who rolled her eyes and got up from the stone step. Lately, this was not the only instance when a student was escorted by a feline, or an elf or even an owl, for that matter. The roles of most animals here were more than just mere messengers, but to also serve as extra help around the vastness that was this castle.

As though she were among the teachers, Lyra followed the bossy cat through the typically overfilled halls, earning a few gawking stares along the way to boot. Even passerby portraits had somehow glued their eyes to them, as it would seem every single despondent soul in the school was let on to her situation, seeing that no other than the Caretaker's familiar led her on. Lyra was becoming the talk of the entire school and it was not for the fact that she may have been the laughing stock of the whole school, but Lyra was beginning to get clued into her family, bit by bit. As it was hinted before, along one of the corridor walls, there was a wooden cabinet. One overdone with trophies of Quidditch Champions past. This must have been what Ron and Hermoine wished for her to see earlier but things kept getting more complicated, no thanks to her. One name was sharply engraved upon one of the bases of the Seeker's set that read James Potter, the youngest Seeker of the Age.

Had she the courage to ask her Sire about him, it would not be worth being waved off over it. By how she heard tell of this James (her true father, by blood), it all left her feeling odd when she already felt out of place to begin with. Prince was the father she loved, and so blood had no part to play in how she felt. If she knew this Potter well enough, she would feel different. However, seeing this trophy… It only encouraged her to work harder just so to see her first match. Lyra awoke to the nagging trill of her escort and she circled her legs, impatiently.

"Sorry, madame…" she sighed down at the cat. "Just wanted to see if all that talk was true. Partially, I can see why it all annoys him so much… Or I could be wrong about that,"

Dreading some of the lectures she had to undergo, there was a few things she had to put at the back of her mind. Exploring was all very well, however, as she was told, there were some places at Hogwarts that were deemed too dangerous for students and were, henceforth, banned against them, only for the adult eye to see and manage… It made her wonder even more. Eventually, upon her way down to the dungeons, she was met with Ronald, Hermoine… Draco's goons, Crabbe and Goyle who gave her some nasty eyes as they shoveled past them, following the path of two black cats. Hermoine had her owl being her escort and Ron had his strange rat scuttling beside him.

"Morning, girls…" Ron lowly greeted the two.

"Morning, Ron." both ladies greeted back with that same monotone.

"Let us just do the work, and maybe earn some points, who knows…?" Hermoine tried, very badly, to pep talk.

I highly doubt that he'd be in the mood for that, Hermoine. Lyra cruelly thought.

Mrs. Norris ended her journey at the classroom door and then patiently sat before the trio, as the other animals left them all be. They left all alone to endure an hour and half of a stern lesson, just on the other side of the door. They had no choice but to enter in and prepare their cauldrons as they often do. Without needing to say much, the trio just got right to it and when they first walked in, there was a colder tightness to the air then usual. There was a new feel to it and it made Lyra feel chilly; a feeling she knew all too well since she was very little. Why would it not feel tense in here, after what she was recently told? It was probably in league as to why she lashed out so easily… Deep down, she was still very much afraid, however, she felt safer here, regardless.

Professor Prince's mood, as always, was no-nonsense and straightforward and painfully, he regarded Lyra more as any typical student of his. Although, that cold shoulder of his was more so aimed at those two pups of Draco's, which was satisfying enough.

Today's potion in question was a revision of Forgetfulness Potion and mainly pointed out that she miscounted her mistletoe by only one. Knowing how much losing ingredients often made him angry, she corrected herself and obediently nodded.

"According to the Lethe River of Greek Mythology,' he began whilst pacing. "…one sip from its waters would wipe your mind clean of memory. Imagine the repercussions should you provide too much or too little of any of these ingredients — Clockwise, Master Crabbe. Thrice… Do not make me correct you again. I cannot help someone who refuses to listen to reason."

Clockwise, not Counter, Lyra thought to herself while keeping her eyes sharply reading over the board's normal instruction. At last, they all managed to make a fine batch of acceptable potions, save for a few less than adequate ones and they were more than happy that his corrections toward them were more common sense than brisk. There were no favoring above anyone, however, he glanced at each attempt as the class was coming to a close with knowing apprehensiveness.

"There is no need to be in such a hurry." he hummed deep as he walked past the trio, and their shoulders laxed. "It is a healthy custom to let them breathe, like elven wine. As soon as they are cooled enough, do take a vial, label it and place it upon my desk before cleaning your stations."

Lyra distracted herself from those awful looks from those lackeys by tying her red hair back before continuing on with writing her Sire's notes from the board into her text page, as once offered since the first class, knowing more than this whole class knew at the moment. Being observant, she felt a slight buzz along the back of her head and spine, and she recognized it as a check up from him, truly. He had just cast Legilimens on her. She easily recognized it.

As to why he was doing so? It was probably to read her a little, as to how she was feeling. It used to happen back at home after the park incident. If that was a growing necessity than the road from here on out was going to be a bumpy one. This lecture was cold, and straightforward with no snide remarks at her direction to accompany, and homework was given briskly… However, as soon as everyone left…

"Here," he hummed, offering a vial of one familiar, milky white liquid into her hand. "Just in case you have forgotten what we have discussed,"

"I haven't forgotten, Professor." she respectfully replied, taking the glass lightly in her hand. "Sir, I… I really am sorry."

"What is done is done. There is no need to press it further, child." Prince seemed to wave it off, however his eyes were stone cold, as though he was shut down. Again. "What I must press, however…no matter the trouble or worry, or whatever you see or hear, you will remain where it is safest. You are the only student by far who knows of the truth of outside matters."

"You read me, sir. I felt it…"

"I have, and I do not regret it."

Lyra was always let in by mere hints that he had endured so much pain to come to this point, of her own life and the life in this school, he was a man who held no further trust in the world or in the people around him. Even her, the person he so chose to rescue and teach, when… (with the state of the world being as it was) … he did not have to. He could have just left her in that house with her murdered parents, but he didn't.

Oh, what a fool she was sometimes, pulling on the leash only backfired with her landing hard on her arse, then she would do it again. Who was she to hurt him just like everyone else seemed to have done? What could she do to make it up to him from this moment on, so his heart could heal even more so? That was a mission she had come to know and explore for years, even now… it was still a lock that she could not pick properly.

He was shut down, for good reason. He held Occlumency harshly over his own mind, and when he would ever do that it meant that things were becoming very risky and serious. This was a skill that scared her sometimes, but there was no other choice to make. Lyra drew in a soothing breath and looked up into his eyes, hoping to seek out a star. She had no luck in finding it right now.

"The O.W.L midterm is fast approaching, sir, and I do feel ready for it." she bravely changed the subject, looking up again to seek some approval. "For Charms and Dark Arts, as well… I found a way to study for each without making my head spin…" she chuckled.

"You would read histories for hours before you've begun here," he smirked, slight. "Your hard work will pay off, I am sure of it. Be off now." Prince gently ushered and she obediently turned to leave the classroom, to be with her classmates.

However, with one final thought in her mind, before she turned her heel, Lyra came close to give her Sire one simple embrace with one little prayer~

I love you.
Please don't hurt yourself like this, father…
Please…

If one thing could crack the barrier he built, it was his charge… His daughter. She was scared for him and he could not be cold towards her. As soon as he was alone, Prince just focused on the door for a good long moment, with that one hug throwing him for a loop for a second.

How he loved her so…
How it hurt him, terribly…

Lyra took the Lleath vial she was given and drank it before she was soon met with that one infamous cat again. Her mind was reflecting back to the old life she had when she was careful with what she did. Even in this new environment, it was no excuse. Prince was and always will be her only family and he was the true link to the ones she lost and never got to meet and know. She was reason why he locked his heart away again, and it frightened her. Healing that trust once more was more important than some silly exploration or legend.

She was gradually led back up and out from the dungeons, out into the light of the main court, just a near short distance from the Quad. She had just entered the vast space, as though, curiously before she heard one familiar gruff of a voice call to her from nearby one of the winged boar statues.

"Thar ye are, little one!" Hagrid gleefully greeted her, which earned the kind Half Giant a smile.

"Oh, Hagrid~" Lyra mindlessly went over to him, completely ignoring the cat who was leading her.

"Sorry if I disturbed summit —"

"Oh no, you haven't. I have just finished potions, a-and well… you may have heard,"

Mrs. Norris approached the two with one judgemental stare, however, she remained patiently and sat close by.

"Oh, I did~" Hagrid warmly nodded. "Yet I see you before me, all good and strong, aye? How're ye doin' then?"

"I'm all right. A little wiser for the wear, no doubt, and better…" she admitted. "It was just a kick, but the aftermath hurt more than the actual kick had…"

"I'that so, lass? Ah, sometimes life just enjoys knocking the lot o' us down… All ya's needs to do is get right back up, aye?"

"Yes, exactly… um," Lyra nearly stammered as she played with the fabric of her robe. To Hagrid, she looked incredibly upset.

"…aye," Hagrid hushed, softly tapping her chin to get her to raise her eyes to him. "Come with me for a mite while. I'll brew us a cup o' tea." was the sweet offer.

Mrs. Norris gave one hiss at the two and the girl begged at her with her eyes.

"I… I don't think I should,"

"Oh pah! Don't ya worry yer head, Mrs. Norris! She is right as rain with me, I's guarantee that, miss!"

The feline only flipped her tail, before pawing at Lyra's shoe. She then flipped a few of her bangs from her face before bending down to pick up the cat.

"Come to think of it, Hagrid, she can come with us. I'm trusted with you… and no doubt, I'm sure Mr. Filch gets a low down on the daily."

"Ah, then that makes us a trio, then~" Hagrid gladly accepted. If he was honest with himself, this was a sure way that kept Orpheus in the know, and a little spot of tea before her study hour for the day. "Trust me~ He'd be glad ye came by."

"I really hope so." Lyra smiled, really looking forward to a small break like this, away from all the student blabber and fuss. To be with someone he trusted above all, at the one of the safest places so well known, there was nothing to fear, even for the cat she now held.