Lyra had done some serious thinking over the last few days of the summer and was beginning to wonder whether her and James could actually continue to be best friends. He would drop her as soon as any girl came along, and this wouldn't have been the first time he'd cancelled on her because he wanted to hang out with his girlfriend. When she'd seen him following the Lily incident, he'd been apologetic, explaining how he really did think he'd have a few hours until they met and seemed way too excited to tell her he'd had sex with Lily. It honestly hurt her to hear, and she managed to get away with scrunching her face and refusing to hear any more details. She realised that she needed to distance herself from James, especially as she already knew Lily didn't like her and figured it would be a good excuse to see him less. Besides, sixth year meant a hell of a lot more work and James hated the library, so she just had to hang out there more. It made her genuinely sad, but it just felt like it was too much hard work being friends with James, and it was hurting her to see him with Lily.
As such, although they hung out in the last few days, it was never alone as she organised stuff with both their friends, and she didn't think James had cottoned on. The only time they'd been on their own was at their annual family dinner which was, this year, at the Potters and was a BBQ to send them off to Hogwarts. Her and James had just chatted at the table, and she hadn't minded that and when he asked if she wanted to hang out until a bit later, she had just told him she wanted an early night so she was ready for the journey and needed to finish up packing. It hurt her to see him look disappointed, but she knew it was for the best as she left with her parents, knowing that some house distance at school would probably do them both some good.
And so, Lyra stepped eagerly onto the platform the next day, eyes quickly snagging on Rosie who was waiting in their designated meeting spot, James appearing behind her a few seconds later.
"So, Ly, shall we get a compartment?" James asked, taking her by surprise.
"I thought you were meeting Lily?" she asked, James blinking and then laughing.
"Thank Merlin I have you Ly, honestly. Yeah, I said I'd meet Lily, you don't mind, do you?" he asked her, Lyra quickly shaking her head and giving him a smile; she knew this was coming and even though they always travelled up together in the past, this year seemed to be the year of new things.
"No, you go, Rosie's waiting for me anyway" he seemed surprised by this as Lyra pointed out Rosie before he nodded, looking hesitant.
"I'll come find you on the train in a bit alright?" Lyra nodded, not convinced he would but he seemed pleased with this anyway and surprised her by giving her a quick hug before he darted off and Lyra made her way over to Rosie.
"Morning pal" Rosie was in just as high spirits as Lyra was, giving her a tight hug. "How you doing? James seemed weirded out you coming over here" naturally Lyra had told Rosie what was going on as Rosie really was her best friend. She was realising this more and more; Rosie had never neglected her for a guy, had always put her first. And Lyra had never neglected Rosie when she was with Tom either. She hadn't neglected James either but apparently that was a one-way thing that she didn't get in return.
"I know, he hasn't realised that he's made me get used to doing things without him" she admitted, the thought hurting a bit, but she didn't want to lower the mood so soon. "Come on, let's go get a compartment before it fills up" Rosie just nodded, evidently realising not to push it at the moment as the two made their way onto the train.
"Hey, let me give you a hand" she was just trying to lift her trunk when the voice came and she turned, surprised to find…she wanted to say it was a Gryffindor seventh year…a very hot, Gryffindor seventh year. He lifted her trunk onto the train no problem, giving her a charming smile.
"Oh, uh, thanks" she said, baffled by the whole thing.
"No problem. See you round Thompson" and then he was off. Lyra turned to Rosie who looked as baffled as Lyra felt.
"Er, who was that?" Lyra asked, thoroughly nonplussed as she started to help Rosie lift her trunk onto the train.
"I feel like that was Jacob Richardson" Rosie mused as they then pushed and shoved their trunks along to the next available compartment, leaving them on the floor as they sat down.
"That was weird, right?" Lyra clarified as Rosie sat opposite her, nodding.
"Very. I have a feeling it's guna be a weird sort of year" she said, and Lyra nodded her agreement, looking out of the compartment and, despite it all, she couldn't help but scan for James in the crowds.
They were nearly at Hogwarts when James appeared…with Lily. If it was any consolation to Lyra, she looked as unhappy to be there as Lyra was her being there.
"Hey Ly! Hi Rosie!" James greeted them happily, already in his uniform which was highly unusual for him. But then again, Lily was also in her uniform as they both entered, the rest of the Marauders trailing in behind them.
"Hiya" Lyra smiled at them all, even as Lily sat there with an air of superiority, her hand dangerously high on James's thigh. Lyra made sure to keep her eyes focused on the others, doing her best not to think about what James and Lily would be up to tonight.
"Can you believe we're already ready?" Sirius sounded genuinely pleased with himself, making both Rosie and Lyra laugh.
"We were saying earlier how it was going to be a weird year and you're just proving us right" Rosie told him, Remus laughing with them.
"I mean, a part of me hates it's taken Lily to get them organised but at the same time, I'm here for it" Remus told them, Lily looking dead pleased, Lyra feeling like she was looking pointedly at her.
"Well, it just takes a little…incentive" she purred to James, and Lyra caught Rosie rolling her eyes before she mimed vomiting. It made Lyra feel better, and she heard Sirius and Peter chuckle as though they too had seen what Rosie had done.
"What?" James asked, never one to be left out but they all just shook their heads, Remus quickly filling the gap and asking them about their journey.
"And you'll never guess what else happened" Rosie said after jabbering on for ages, Lily and James having fallen into a hushed, giggly conversation of their own which really was disgusting. Sirius looked like he was going to interject something silly and so Rosie rushed on, "Jacob Richardson helped Ly with her trunk earlier" she saw the way James's head whipped around at the news, saw how Remus and Sirius looked interested by this…how Peter looked to James for a reaction.
"Oh, really now? You mean the new Gryffindor quidditch captain has already shown an interest in our Lyra?" Sirius asked, looking most intrigued. Lyra blushed at the insinuation and quickly shook her head.
"Oh shush, he was probably doing it as a joke" Lyra brushed it off.
"Wouldn't be the first time" she distinctly heard Lily mutter, which only made her blush even more.
"Lily" Lyra could hear James was unimpressed, but he didn't press it.
"What, it's true isn't it?" rather unfortunately it was; only two years ago when Lyra was starting fourth year the then seventh year Gryffindor boys had pretended to feign an interest in her, making her uncomfortable and teasing her about it mercilessly. It had taken the intervention of the Marauders to get them to back off, but she knew how everybody laughed at her, how she had thought one of them might genuinely be interested. It had been mortifying but that was what being a geeky Ravenclaw did for you. She stood abruptly, aware the others looked awkward and needed to escape.
"I'll be back in a minute" Rosie looked like she was about to get up too, but Lyra shook her head, giving her a smile as she made her way out, thinking she'd go to the toilet so the others didn't think she was actually effected by what Lily had said. She had barely taken a few steps when she heard the compartment door go, heart lifting at the thought James had followed her and so she turned, hiding her disappointment that it was just Remus.
"You okay Lyra?" he asked quietly, moving towards her.
"Sure, I just need the toilet" she gestured behind her, giving him a smile which he looked unsure about.
"I just…thought I should check. Lily was just, well, being Lily" he said with a shrug.
"Oh no, really it's fine. I'll be back in a moment" she said, injecting as much enthusiasm and normality as she could muster and saw Remus look reassured; she'd gotten good at faking being okay over the years. Without another word she turned and headed to the bathroom, only letting her smile drop when she was locked away, releasing a sigh as she let her head drop against the wall. She hated how much she let other people get to her and closed her eyes, so she didn't cry. Yes, space from James, and by extension Lily, was exactly what she needed.
Lyra had been pleased when nobody brought up the previous conversation when she had gotten back, and the others hadn't hung around long as they needed to go back to get their stuff. James had promised to see her after dinner, Lyra just nodding but not convinced he would. And indeed, she had seen him letting Lily lead him out of the Great Hall after the welcome back feast and instead went straight up to Ravenclaw with Rosie, pleased to be back in the comfort and safety of the Ravenclaw tower. She had slept well that night, waking up feeling determined to start the year positively. She ate breakfast with Rosie, the two of them discussing what lessons they might have as Flitwick made his way up the table to their usual spot by the doors. Flitwick, as always, paused to talk to the both of them, congratulating them on their OWL results which genuinely pleased Lyra before he handed them their timetables; a free first and then Potions. It would be one of a handful of lessons she would have to share with James, but it was okay because both Rosie and the rest of the Marauders were also taking Potions.
It was when they were heading out of the Great Hall did they bump into the Marauders who were, as usual, having a last minute breakfast.
"That your timetable Ly?" James asked before plucking it out of her hands, scanning it as he came to stand next to her. "Ace, potions this morning. Hey, partner me?" he asked her straight away. Before she could think about it, she nodded, hearing the others huff, Remus quickly asking Rosie and Sirius and Peter agreeing to partner up. "Great. Save me a seat yeah?" he asked, handing back her timetable.
"Sure, see you later" she told them, all four of them smiling as Rosie and Lyra made their way up to the common room for a free.
"I thought you were trying to put some distance between you both?" Rosie probed as they went, Lyra just shrugging.
"It would be weird if we weren't partners in Potions. And so far, he's not picked up on anything else" she said simply, Rosie looking like she considered this before nodding.
"Fair point. So, reckon Ford's gotten hotter over summer?" Rosie asked with a grin, making Lyra laugh as they talked about the insanely good-looking Runes professor instead of James.
James really felt like he was a whole new person this year. He was even at Slughorn's early because Lily had insisted on it. And really, these days, he was completely powerless to resist her. He felt very smug at the surprise on both Lyra and Rosie's face as he steered him and Lily in their direction, determined that his girlfriend and best friend should get on. Lily got on with the rest of the Marauders and so he was pushing her to get on with Lyra too.
"Hi partner" he greeted Lyra, seeing her smile but she seemed…nervous. Which was weird.
"Oh, I thought you would be my partner" Lily said, taking him by surprise. He turned, seeing her look upset and hated seeing her this way. "It's alright, I'll find someone else" Lily said, starting to look around at the other sixth years gathered, not many of them having opted for it.
"Lil no I'm sure Ly won't mind if I partner you instead, right Ly?" he asked, looking pleadingly at Lyra. She looked at him for a second before she shrugged and shook her head.
"It's fine" was all she said as the bell went and a load of second years started spilling out.
"Great, I do enjoy having you all to myself" Lily whispered in his ear, her hand straying down his chest in a way which really didn't help get him focused for Potions.
"You cannot tease me like that" James murmured to her, only making her laugh as she grinned at him, James missing the fact the others had started going in.
"Come on" Lily pulled him in by the hand, finding Rosie and Remus stood by Lyra, both of them frowning at her. He couldn't tell what they were saying but Lyra was just smiling at them, shaking her head and so instead they left her, sitting at the desk next to the one she occupied. James made for the desk on the other side of Lyra, beginning to feel bad at seeing her sat there on her own but Lily moved him to the back where Sirius and Peter were sat, talking to Dorcas and Marlene who both grinned when they saw Lily and James together.
"Hey, I'm just guna go check on Ly" James told Lily but she shook her head, tugging at his sleeve.
"You know what Slughorn's like with punctuality" Lily told him as indeed he swept in, looking at them expectantly. James hovered, Slughorn looking pointedly at James who sat but he couldn't help but look to Lyra, sat on her own at the front, the space next to her meant for him.
"Welcome back everybody! I have to say, I am pleased with those of you sat in front of me. Superb results from the lot of you" Slughorn beamed at them and the guilt in James intensified: Lyra had been the one to help James get an O. "And I do appreciate you all being partnered. Mr Snape, I'd like you sat down here with Miss Thompson for the term" even Slughorn looked to James when he said it, only making James feel even worse. He watched as Snape looked unhappy but moved anyway, Lyra not flinching but she did seem to lower in her seat a bit, and he could tell she was embarrassed at being left partnerless…because of him. With his mind not with it, Slughorn started his introductory lecture, turning to the chalkboard at the front and as soon as he did it, a note came hurtling his way from the front. He quickly opened it, finding Rosie's writing:
You're an absolute arsehole James Potter. I hope you feel bad. And don't try talking to her afterwards, you've done enough for one day he was startled by the words on the parchment, Lily plucking it from him.
"Is she serious? You partnered with your girlfriend, she didn't actually expect you to leave me, did she?" Lily whispered to him, sounding pretty pissed. James just shrugged, taking the note back from her and stuffing it in his pocket, feeling like a really horrible best friend.
James ignored Rosie's note and indeed ignored Lily's request to wait for her, instead speeding out after Lyra who was walking with Rosie.
"Ly!" she paused, even as Rosie tugged her and when she turned, he was surprised to see her smiling at him, looking at him questioningly. "Ly I'm really sorry for ditching you" he apologised, seeing her shrug again.
"It doesn't matter" was all she said, turning to go. He was momentarily surprised as she walked away, quickly moving after her, taking her arm and pulling her gently round.
"I just…I feel really bad. We've always been partners and now you're stuck with Snape" Rosie was glowering but Lyra's expression was totally neutral.
"He's actually really good at Potions. I think it's going to really help me being partnered with him" as she said this, Lily appeared, arm sneaking around his waist as Lyra shook herself from his grip.
"See, I told you Lyra wouldn't mind" Lily interjected. James was hesitant but Lyra still had that very annoying neutral expression, not allowing him to get a read on her; she was never like this with him. She usually showed him exactly how she was feeling. But then…maybe she was okay with it?
"Anyway, I got to go. I've got Runes" and with that she left as the others joined them, Dorcas and Marlene in tow who started instantly talking to Lily as she slipped her hand into his and they made their way back to Gryffindor.
"You know you've been a right prick, don't you?" Remus asked quietly beside him, taking him by surprise.
"What? Why?" James queried as even Sirius looked at him in slight disbelief.
"James, you and Lyra have been Potions partners since first year. Even when your other girlfriends had a problem with it you ignored them. And now you and Lily are…hooking up, you ditch Lyra straight away? That's not okay" Remus explained as though James was a toddler.
"But I spoke to her, she's fine with it" James said as the others all sighed dramatically, gaining the attention of the girls.
"Oh my gosh, we were just saying we should totally match make Snape and Lyra" James just stared at Lily, sure the other guys had the same expression as him. "What they'd be cute together, the Potions geeks" the girls all laughed, which made James frown.
"Lily don't be like that" he said, Lily still smiling but looking sheepish.
"Sorry" she said, even as she still giggled.
"Oh Merlin" Remus shook his head and sped up, walking with Sirius, and leaving James with Lily, wondering what on earth had just happened.