The ride back home was no different to the ride to I sat in a completely empty compartment instead of with the other Slytherins. I had already changed into my Muggle clothes. An olive green shirt, black ripped skinny jeans, some converse, and a cropped jacket. I had my hair up in a loose ponytail at the top of my head. I had my music going and I was singing softly as I worked on my over the break homework. I bought some every flavor beans when the trolley lady passed by. Other than that I kept to myself. That is until someone knocked on my door an hour out from King's Cross. "It's open," I said. I turned down my music as the door opened. I stared in shock as I saw Granger standing in the doorway. "Um can I come in?" she asked nervously. I smirked and waved her in. She entered, closed the door behind herself, and sat opposite of me. I leaned back in my seat and crossed my arms, waiting for the Gryffindor Princess to speak. When she just shifted for five minutes I sighed and leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees. "Look Hermione. I'm not an evil Slytherin who cares only about bloodlines. I myself grew up with Muggles when I was younger. Now, something is obviously bothering you or we wouldn't be here. So what's up?" I asked, dropping my Slytherin facade. The girl looked at me in shock. Then she shook her head and said, "I've been trying to figure out how you can be so smart and yet so well loved by your House from the get-go." I chuckled, "That's not why you're really here but I'll humor you." I looked down at my hands as I started talking, "I had the luck of being an Heir to start off with. Then I was taught both ways of an Heir's life before I came to Hogwarts. I was also forced into Draco's little group when I came to live with my Aunt. The boys make sure I eat and don't get in fights. Pansy kept me sane enough to come up with the plan I executing now. It does help that I don't use my smarts to act high and mighty." I paused and looked up at Granger, "Why does this matter to you? Aren't you best friends with Potter now?"

Hermione turned light pink and hung her head. "Well yeah but that was only because they saved me from the troll," she muttered. I flinched at the comment but thankfully she didn't see it. "Oh, I see now. Hermione, you can't tell if they want to actually be your friends or if they're just letting you tag along out of pity," I stated in surprise. She nodded blushing darker. I shook my head, "Granger, have you met Potter? Have you seen him be mean to anyone other than Malfoy? Hells, I'd bet it was him who remembered you were crying in the bathroom instead of at dinner on Halloween. And he did jump on the troll's back to save you." As I finished speaking, I popped a few jelly beans in my mouth. I offered the box to Hermione, she declined. She stared at me like I had said something weird. Our eyes widened at the same time as we realized what it was. "Bloody hell," I groaned as she exclaimed, "You were there, too!" I quickly turned up my music so it would cover up our conversation from anyone listening in. I then transferred seats so that I was sitting next to her. "You quite literally can't tell anyone that I helped save you. At least not until Draco does," I told her completely serious. "Oh since I'm a Gryffindor Muggleborn, you don't anyone to know you saved me until it conveniences you," she growled. I simply looked at her, looked down at how I'm sitting right next to her in the same train compartment having a conversation with her, then back at her. "Aren't you supposed to be the brightest witch of our age, Hermione?" I asked laughing. The Gryffindor blushed again and looked away. "Look, I'm not telling you to keep it a secret forever. Hells you can shout it from the Astronomy tower when we get back. I'm just asking you to wait until someone comes up to confirm it with you. It's a matter of life or death that Draco is the first one to spread the word over break. So please?" I begged her. Hermione looked at me with concern and determination. "What do you mean life or death?" she asked. I could tell that she wasn't going to let that go, but we pulled into the station just then. I smirked, standing up, "Long story short? I'm saving Draco and his group from themselves." I grabbed my speaker and bag, opened the door. Then I paused. shaking my head I turned back to her. "Look for the Sorcerer's Stone. It'll speed up your quest a lot," I said before departing.

I walked off the train with my music still blaring and without an escort. I clipped my speaker to my bag's strap. I walked passed all the adults without a glance and stood behind Narcissa. Draco and the group stepped off the train with grace, dignity, and proper protocol. Draco helped Pansy off then walked her to her parents. Blaise and Theo accompanied the Greengrass twins to their family. Crabbe and Goyle simply went to their families. I saw Dravin escorting Alice to her father. However, all eyes weren't on the other Heirs. They were on me, the Failure Heir Who Refuses To Listen. I knew what was going to happen when I got back to the Manor. I also knew it was better for me to be beaten half to death than let it happen to one of the others. I held my head high under the glares. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Granger reunite with her family. I smirked at the sight but my heart filled with longing. If I had stayed with Aunt Andromeda, would that be how I'd be greeted when I stepped off the train? I shook my head at the thought as Draco walked up and bowed to his parents. They allowed him close instantly. I felt my arm get gripped tightly by Lucius and then everything went black. When light came back to the world, Platform 9¾ was replaced by the Gate of the Manor. Lucius dragged me up and into the Manor. He threw me into the formal living room and stalked to me. I knew better than to use magic to protect myself. Instead, I just stood up. Draco and Narcissa walked into the house just as Lucius's fist landed in my stomach. I felt the air leave my body, but I refused to drop. His kicks were much worse than his punches. Over and over Lucius hit, threw, and kicked me. I kept my ground. When I fell, I got back up. When he yelled, I stayed silent. It was hours before my uncle was satisfied with my punishment.

Or at least I thought he was done. I waited for Dobby or Wimsey or even Narcissa to come in and make sure I was going to be okay for the Christmas Ball. Lucius came back with a fire poker. I felt my heart speed up when I saw that the first third of the poker was glowing a yellow-white. "Turn around and bare your back," he growled. I straightened my spine and did as told. I took off my jacket, laying it on the floor in front of me. However, I only brought my shirt over my head. I didn't let it off my arms while my back was bare. Then all I felt was the pain. My uncle must have charmed the poker to never cool. I could smell my skin burning on my back. I could feel the blisters forming from each press of the iron. Then came the hits. The tip dug into my skin. Tearing it. Ripping it. I would've been bleeding heavily if the torture tool wasn't also cauterizing my wounds. I was screaming now. I couldn't take all three at once. Never could. But I was still standing. I wouldn't fall to the likes of Lucius Malfoy anymore. Not after what I've seen. Two hours after that, my uncle was finally completely satisfied. "Get out of my sight," grunted Lucius. I put my shirt back on and grabbed my jacket before walking out of the room. In the Foyer, just outside the door, was Draco. His eyes were wide with fear and concern. Then we heard Narcissa called, "Wimsey, meet Lyra in her room. She's had a rather rough day." I closed my eyes in relief. I was going to get treated quickly. I turned to Draco and nodded that I was okay. I then climbed the stairs to the Attic, to my room. I opened my door to find Wimsey setting up to clean and wrap me up. I walked in, closed the door, and sat on the stool she indicated for me to take, with a moan. I bit my cheek as the house elf cleaned my back and wrapped my arm.

Hours passed after Wimsey got done with cleaning me. She gracefully let me move to a chair so I could rest my head on my none broken arm with the help of the back. I was desperately trying to stay awake until I was sure I didn't have a concussion. I couldn't move from my spot because if I did, the blisters were going to pop. Which would cause me to bite my cheek and my cheek was already a bloody mess. A knock on my door brought me out of my world of calculating pain. The door opening made me forget all about it. I jumped up, slid my shirt on, and placed myself on the far side of my bed next to the window. I was fully prepared to jump out until I saw it was my aunt, not my uncle. "Lyra, take off your shirt and sit back down," Narcissa chimed as she closed my door again. I groaned as I did what she said. As the adrenaline left my body again, I felt everything that was wrong with getting up in the first place. Placing my head on the back of my chair, I waited for her to speak. "What did Wimsey say?" she asked bringing the stool up behind me. "Well, my back is the worst of it. Mainly my shoulders and upper back. My right arm is broken. Three of my ribs on my left side are shattered. Luckily nothing was punctured. And I may have a concussion," I resited. I heard her make a noise of agreement which means If I did have a concussion it wasn't bad. Then I felt the tip of Narcissa's wand lightly skim over my back. The pain slowly resided with each pass. I sighed in relief. Narcissa was an amazing healer. I like to think that if Lucius wasn't, well, Lucius, my aunt would be at St. Margo's. Helping people and the like. She spent another hour on my back. Stitching the open wounds shut. Then healing the closed wounds into scars. Then the scars into year old scars, an almost silver-white against my skin.

Then she spent no time at all healing my ribs and arm. When she scanned my head, there were no signs of a concussion. I stood up and stretched when she was done. "Everything's stiff but I'll be in working order before the Ball," I stated. I turned to her and saw my aunt frowning. "Did I do something wrong?" I asked moving back. I may not be afraid of my uncle, but my aunt is a completely different story. "Well yes and no," she answered, "If you hadn't made a scene, then this wouldn't have happened. Then I would've been able to put you in the dress I wanted." I relaxed and sat on my bed. "We both know you wouldn't have been able to anyway. My scars are too noticeable against my olive skin tone. But how about this," I asked before taking a deep breath, "I'll wear the heels and let you do my makeup, nails, and hair if you let me wear my tux. You even be able to pick out the tie." Silence. I didn't dare move. "Deal. Now shower and change. Dinner will be ready in an hour." With that my Not-So-Ice-Queen Aunt left. I fell back on to my bed for a moment before getting up and getting in the shower. As I washing my body, I heard, "Yo Lyra! You in here?!" get called in a female voice from my bedroom. I stuck my head out of the shower curtain and called out, "I'm in the shower. Come help me wash my back!" Pansy walked into my bathroom, saying, "I gotta shower too. Mind if I join you?" I agreed and she was under the water in seconds. I helped her wash her hair and back. When it was her turn to wash mine she paused. "You did it again didn't you?" she whispered. "Pansy I have maybe three days before the ball and then only a day after to get him calmed enough not to do anything until you guys get back to school," I explained as she washed me, "Do you really think I won't be causing scenes as often as possible?"

Pansy stayed silent the rest of our shower. I stepped out while she rinsed out her hair. I dried off and changed into my house clothes; undergarment, comfy well-worn jeans, and an anime tank top. Even though they weren't much different from my outside clothes, I didn't have to worry about my scars being seen when everyone in the house knew that they were there. Pansy followed in my wake as we went through brushing and drying our hair. I stopped in front of the door before we went downstairs. "Pansy, is it just you or are the boys here as well?" I asked looking over my shoulder. Pansy shifted and looked down, "Everyone's here. Our parents are working out the last minute details of the Ball tonight." I muttered under my breath as I shooed her out the door and grabbed my anime hoodie. Pansy looked back at me as we descended the stairs. I shook my head as I zipped up the hoodie over my tank top. While Draco and Pansy knew how bad the beatings got, the other four didn't nor did I want them to. Draco met us at the foot of the stairs. "The adults are having dinner by themselves tonight so we get to have dinner in the den tonight," he said holding his arm out to Pansy. Pansy took it immediately but both looked at me. "I'm fine. I can only take so much each day so I'll be a good girl for the rest of the night," I said lightly as I walked passed them. I kept my hands in my pockets as to keep them from fidgeting with my hair. The boys welcomed us, girls, easily and the night went on. I winced once when Lucius could be heard screaming from the Formal Dining Room. But other than that the night went smoothly. Around midnight everyone went home and the Manor became quiet. The Malfoys went to sleep, leaving me to my own devices in my room. I stayed up out of habit and did my homework. When my music turned to more calm and soft music around three, I decided it was time to go to sleep.

I woke up at six again out of habit. I groaned, got up, and changed into my Quidditch Robes. I grabbed my broom on the way out my room and headed out to the backyard. I was almost home free when I got to the kitchen, but Lucius caught me by surprise. "And where do you think you're going?" He asked from his stool at the bar. I stopped just before the bar started. "I'm on the Quidditch team and I need to stay in practice," I stated."And who said you were allowed to play Quidditch?" he sneered. "Professor Dumbledore and Severus didn't give me a choice." I walked right past him as I spoke. I felt his hand wrap around my upper arm and had to keep from pulling away. Lucius spun me around and placed his face centimeters from mine. This close I could smell that he hadn't actually gone to sleep yet. I felt my heartbeat speed up. Lucius sober was bad, but he got more sadistic when he was intoxicated. "I own you and I didn't give you permission to play Quidditch. Hell, I didn't even give you permission to go outside the Castle while you were there." My uncle's eyes grew wide in realization and grinned. "You disobeyed the rules again. Apparently yesterday's punishment wasn't enough," he said summoning the fire poker. I rolled my eyes and said, "Do you really want to do this in the kitchen? I mean you drink in here." To my surprise, Lucius got a better hold on my arm and dragged me to the Foyer. He threw me to the ground. I tried to get up but he placed his foot in between my shoulders. "Stay down," he growled. I felt my robes rip from the collar to my waist. As cold air hit my back, I tensed. Seconds later white-hot pain was going down my back again. I bit my lip to keep silent. "Oh, no screams this time? What if I do this?" My uncle stomped on my right hand, breaking most of the bones. I closed my eyes but stayed silent. The thing with Intoxicated Lucius is that the screams only encouraged him. My uncle alternated between burning/cutting my back and breaking bones. He was careful to not hurt my legs, spine, and skull. However, everything else was fair game. I passed out from pain halfway through it all. When I woke up, I was laying on my stomach in my room. I moaned as the pain came in waves but it wasn't as bad as it would be if I wasn't untreated. I knew because Lucius had made me heal on my own a few times. I turned my head and saw Wimsey standing next to my bed.

"How long have been out?" I asked as I tried to get my legs under myself so I could sit up. "Most of the day miss. Wimsey cleaned and wrapped you again. Mistress Malfoy was only allowed to heal your open wounds and bones. she said that you shouldn't come downstairs until the Ball. That Wimsey will be bringing you your meals. Miss messed up bad didn't Miss?" Wimsey asked as she helped me sit up. "Yeah, but it was necessary," I responded looking down at myself. My arms were wrapped tightly from my elbows to the tips of my fingers. I opened and closed my hands. They hurt but they worked. I did the same with my elbows. Again hurt but moved. I went to stand up but Wimsey had other ideas. The small House Elf pushed me back onto my bed saying, "No. Miss must stay in bed until tomorrow morning. Then she is only allowed to walk around her room until Mistress came for Miss on the day of the Ball." I groaned in frustration. "Fine," I sighed. Since I wasn't allowed to do anything for the next couple days, I slept. Lucius is beating me again. I whimpered. I felt that I was completely naked and knew that my towel was in a heap at my feet. My uncle had burst into my room just as I got done with my shower. I didn't know the reason behind the beating. He threw me face down on the bed. I felt my chest, much larger than I remembered, get compressed under my weight. I spotted my left forearm from where I landed and saw the Dark Mark. The pain started heading towards my waist. A zipper being unzipped could be heard. It clicked in my head about was going to happen and I screamed. I woke up screaming and being restrained.

"Lyra wake up. It's me, Draco. Lyra, come on," a male voice said in my ear as a different body held my legs down. I opened my eyes and saw Draco, Pansy, and Narcissa surrounding me. Draco was in bed with me and holding my arms to my side. Pansy was holding my legs with a determined look on her face. My aunt was in the doorway confused and worried. I was her look out into the hallway before coming in and shutting the door. I automatically lock the door from my position so my uncle wouldn't be able to just walk in. "What was all that about?" Pansy asked panting. I just shook my head trying to catch my breath. "How long have I been asleep?" I asked as Draco sat both of us up. "It's the day of the party so I'd say on and off for the last two days," Pansy answered sitting back on her knees. "What were you thinking going out to practice without making sure he was asleep?" Draco growled. "That he's never up at six in the morning," I answered. I turned to Narcissa and asked, "Are you able to finish healing me or do I have to add gloves to my attire?" my aunt sighed in relief at my question. "I can heal you. We all know how he is about appearances." With that, she shooed the other two out my room and got to work. An hour later Pansy, Narcissa, and I were in my aunt's private room, getting ready for the Ball. I allowed my aunt to do whatever she needed to do so that my bruises and cuts were completely covered. Pansy did the same only because she actually likes getting dressed up. By the time we were done, They were stunning.

Pansy was wearing a gorgeous peacock feathered ball gown with matching shoes and makeup. Her hair was normal but it looked good. I could only assume that Draco's tux would complement her beautifully. Narcissa had a pastel green fitted dress with white heels and silver makeup. Her blonde hair was loose and flowing. I was wearing my black tux with an emerald green tie. My hair was up in an elaborate twist that was secured by my mother's hair comb. My aunt went with the emerald theme with my makeup and nails. I tettered in my heels for a moment but then we were ready to meet the guests. I went down first as I didn't have any connection the Malfoy name. Theo and Blaise smiled at the sight of me in heels as I walked down the stairs. Theo greeted me at the bottom and escorted me the side. I turned just in time to see Pansy glide down the stairs into Draco's arms. I smiled when I was correct about his tux matching. His tie was the same material as Pansy's dress and his cufflinks were a swirl of green and blue. Draco led Pansy to their spot. Then my aunt took her spot at the top of the stairs. "Thank you all for coming to our annual Christmas Ball. Please enjoy yourselves and make yourselves at home," she announced before floating down the stairs to meet my uncle and officially starting the ball. Lucius lead Narcissa to the ballroom that lead out to the rose garden. Everyone clapped and followed.

Soon music and refreshments were going and the guests were having a good time. I stood in a corner watching the crowd. I wasn't so much as a guest as a head of staff at the moment. I spied a tray that was empty and sent it back to the kitchen before anyone else group of first years were dancing. A few adults were also on the dance floor slow dancing with their dates. I noticed that the Greengrass twins had worn ice blue and green dresses but Theo and Blaise had both worn emerald ties and cufflinks. I smiled to myself when I realized that they were matching not only each other but me as well. "And what is the Princess of Slytherin smiling about when she's over in a corner by herself?" a male voice asked from my right. I turned my head and saw Dravin leaning against the wall next to me. I also noticed that Nyx was sticking her head out from his tux's inside pocket. "Just how Theo and Blaise got away with a thing," I replied. "Oh, the matching outfits. Yes, it does seem like they pulled one over their parents' eyes. Especially when one remembers that a certain Slytherin was supposed to be wearing an emerald dress," He chuckled as he nudged me. I smirked and he held out his hand, "Care to dance with a classmate?" I accepted and he lead me out to the middle of the dance floor. I spun and we started to waltz right along with everyone else. I knew I was going to regret it tomorrow but I didn't care. I was passed long each song. It didn't seem like anyone wanted me to leave the fun and soon the night was late. I went to my room after seeing everyone out and fell asleep once more.