Chapter 7: Related to the Malfoys

A week later, Hermione was released from the Hospital Wing. And when she was, Lyra suddenly found herself spending more time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione than she was with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. Lyra liked the time she spent with her fellow Slytherins, but she never seemed to agree with their views on much of anything. It was a well known within the House that most Slytherins had parents or friends of the family that were Death Eaters. They were brought up with the mindset that only purebloods were worthy enough of being a wizard, and most in the house were purebloods, or at least played up their pureblood side. Lyra wasn't very familiar with Lord Voldemort and his followers, but she heard what everyone else had. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived…

Lyra didn't mind her new change in friends. Draco started acting odd towards her after the incident in Hogsmeade. He seemed much more guarded around her now, as if anything he said Lyra would report back to the wrong person. Lyra remembered the walk back to the Common Room after Hogsmeade. She remembered the screaming match between her and Draco about her actions. He called her stupid and foolish, saying she never should have done that to the Death Eater. Lyra told him he was a coward, she didn't see him ushering forward to help. Lyra felt her blood run cold when Draco answered her. He said they'd never attack him, they were friends of the family.

Lyra was frustrated with the fact that Narcissa had owled ahead and asked that Lyra be put in Slytherin. Sure, Lyra was grateful at first. It was nice being around Draco and having that blanket of protection. But hearing Draco brag about his latest adventures and his father's contacts…sometimes Lyra regretted that she was actually related to him.

Ahh…the joys of being related to the Malfoys. Quinten's comments after the incident at Hogsmeade unnerved Lyra. Narcissa's surname must have been Black, it was the only way to explain his comment. She knew her mother was in Azkaban. But she wasn't sure if her mother was related to Lucius Malfoy. Maybe it was his bleach blond hair that tipped Lyra off, the sheer opposite of her dark black hair. Or maybe it was the utter loathing and hatred of his views on the wizarding world that convinced Lyra there was no way they could be related.

But…there were always buts. Lucius Malfoy could be her father and she could still completely disagree with his views on everything. When Lyra pondered these thoughts, she often thought it was better not to have any family at all. Lyra was torn between her feelings. She hated their way of life, the pompousness, the blackmail, the threats. But then again, she loved it. She loved the power, the money, her ability to get what she wanted. Yeah, if she wasn't being torn to shreds by Draco…

But it was Christmastime, and Lyra would be heading to the Malfoy Manor to spend two weeks with her newfound family.

The snow was becoming heavier and heavier with each passing minute. Somewhere a whistle blew, and the remaining stragglers on the platform scurried inside the warm interiors of the train. The heavy steel doors slammed shut, and soon the train began to pick up speed. Soon it was billowing along its snowy tracks.

Lyra was stuck in a compartment with Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Blaise. She found herself staring out the window most of the time, but her time was wasted in vain; the snowstorm was so thick she could hardly make out anything.

"So Lyra, where's your boyfriend?" Pansy teased.

"My what?" Lyra asked, a bit groggily. She was almost asleep before Pansy asked that ridiculous question.

"Evan Yaley?"

"You're snogging Evan Yaley?" Malfoy's drawling voice came. He snorted, and then returned to the magazine he had been reading.

"Does it matter if I am?" Lyra asked, growing hot.

"Well no, if you like traitors," Malfoy replied from behind a magazine. "His uncle's friends with my father. Evan Rosier, he's a real nice guy." Malfoy's face turned to disgust. "His sister and her husband, though." Malfoy laughed. "Never mind, don't get me started."

Lyra rolled her eyes. She stood up, giving her legs a nice needed stretch. She walked towards the compartment door.

"Where are you going?" Draco demanded, putting down the magazine.

"To snog Evan," she replied with a smile. Slamming the compartment door shut, she walked down the halls, looking for Evan. She found him soon enough, in a compartment with three of his friends. She knocked, and slid the door open.

He looked surprised to see her, but glad nonetheless. He motioned for her to come in and sit down. Evan looked at his friends, and the both got the hint and left the compartment. Soon it was just Lyra and Evan.

"I haven't seen you in a while. Not since…"

"Not since Hogsmeade," Lyra finished. "I know, and I'm so sorry about that. I just thought you might want some time away from me, that's all. I almost got you killed."

To her surprise, Evan smiled. "You didn't get me killed. You saved me. Someone told me how you pulled me to safety."

Lyra shrugged. "I didn't know what else to do."

"I guess I owe you one," Evan said shyly. "Thanks for saving my life."

Lyra could feel herself blushing. She looked down at her feet, smiling awkwardly. "Don't mention it."

Evan took his hand to Lyra's chin, and slowly raised her head up. Leaning forward, Evan's lips came closer and closer to hers…Lyra felt her knees go weak even though she was sitting down…she could see the light colored freckles on his face…And suddenly, with a passion burning like fire, Evan kissed her. His lips tasted sweeter than any candy Lyra had ever tasted.

Suddenly the door was blasted open, and Evan's friends came back in. Lyra and Evan flew apart, straightening their clothes.

"Dementors…they're on the train…" one said. His face was pale and Lyra could see beads of sweat falling down his face.

"WHAT?" Lyra cried, jumping up. She pulled out her wand. "Where?"

"Near the conductor. They've just-" the boy stopped, and gulped. "They did it. The kiss." His voice was barely a whisper.

Lyra could feel herself growing colder. The glass windows slowly began collecting a thick layer of ice. Lyra felt her happiness slowly drain away from her.

No, snap out of it! Lyra told herself. I know how to protect myself.

Lyra looked at Evan. "Alright listen, this is how you protect yourself. Think of the happiest memory you can remember- the incantation's Expecto Patronum. If they come to you, use it."

"Where are you going?" Evan said, his teeth chattering slightly.

"To fight them off." Lyra exited the compartment, looking down both ways of the hallway. She was freezing now, she was sure her blood was going to stop flowing throughout her body. She saw the Dementors, five of them…gliding down the hallway, peering through the glass windows. Lyra knew who they were looking for- Harry Potter. He was on the train, and surely if they found him they would suck his soul away.

Checking her back, Lyra saw Harry exit his compartment too. He moved silently across the floor, coming to a stop just as he reached Lyra.

"Stay here," he said.

"Harry, they want you. There's too many for you to fight alone. I'm going with you," Lyra said firmly. "I know how to defend myself. I've done it before."

"I'm not going to be responsible for you death," Harry said.

"You won't be. I'm not going to die. You are, and so are innocent people if you don't stop fighting me and let me help you!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let's go."

Harry and Lyra sprinted down the hallways of the train until they were twenty feet in front of the dementors. Lyra felt her insides go numb. She remembered dreadful…dreadful things…things she never wanted to relive. Unimaginable pain…

Lyra shook her head, trying to kill her thoughts. She focused on what just happened in the compartment with Evan. With his picture firmly in her mind, Lyra cried out, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Soon a silvery white wolf came crouching out of her wand. To her left, a stag came out of Harry's wand. Together, and with great effort on Harry and Lyra's part, four of the dementors were driven away.

Lyra looked around. Where was the fifth one? She was positive there was five.

And then she saw it, about ten compartments ahead. That compartment…it looked familiar. Lyra's face dropped. That was Draco's compartment. She watched in horror as the Dementor slowly slid the door open with his long, crooked hands.

"No…" Lyra whispered. "That's Draco's compartment."

Lyra thought her legs were trapped in cement. She couldn't move, she was paralyzed in fear. The Dementor glided inside until Lyra could see no more of his shabby cloak. Lyra had to do something…she just knew it… No amount of hatred for Draco and his views on much of anything could ever make her want him to be attacked by a Dementor. Ever.

With newfound movement in legs, Lyra sprinted forward, leaving Harry behind. She rushed into the small room. Everyone was paralyzed in fear as the Dementor was bent over Draco. Lyra saw little wisps of silver coming from his mouth.

Lyra focused on her image of Evan. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" she bellowed. But it wasn't strong enough. The Dementor merely waved it off, and went back to Draco. Lyra needed something stronger, something no one could take away from her.

Lyra focused on her mother. Closing her eyes, Lyra pictured an older version of herself. She imagined being held by her mother as a small baby, being pampered with everything she could ever need and want. Love. Shelter. A family.

Lyra raised her wand. She hoped it wasn't too late. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

It worked this time. The wolf came prowling out of her wand, chasing the Dementor away. When it was fully gone from the compartment, Lyra felt everything grow warm again. But Lyra couldn't get warm. She was shivering. She slowly walked over to Draco, unsure of what she would find.

Lyra remembered studying Dementors in class. She was very young, her third or fourth year in school. She'd practiced on boggarts, but never on a real Dementor. It was career suicide if her Headmaster brought one into the school, but Lyra wouldn't put it past him to do such a thing.

"Draco?" Lyra whispered, stroking his hair. His breathing was shallow, his pale face laced in sweat. Lyra took his hand…he was shivering.

"Someone give me their cloak," Lyra croaked. "And some chocolate."

Crabbe scrambled to his luggage and pulled out an extra cloak and a bar of chocolate. Lyra threw the cloak over Draco's shivering body. She broke off a piece of chocolate and shoved it in Draco's mouth.

Soon enough, he began stirring. Lyra felt her heart start beating normally again. Smiling, she stroked Draco's hair.

"What happened?" he slurred, not fully awake.

"Don't worry about it. Here, eat some more chocolate," Lyra said, breaking off another piece and shoving it his mouth.

"We're almost there," Blaise said, nodding at the window.

"Alright, listen. I heard the conductor got the bad end of the dementors. I'm heading down to the front of the train now. Make sure Draco eats all that chocolate," Lyra said, standing up. "Keep him covered with that cloak, too. Don't let him sit up. He needs to rest."

If the people in the compartment felt annoyed that Lyra was barking out directions, they hid it well. Closing the door behind her, Lyra walked to the front of the train. Sure enough, the conductor was slumped over his chair. His eyes were wide open, and he was still breathing. But inside, Lyra knew he was gone. The train was still at full speed as the train station came into view. Lyra frantically looked at the beeping dials and levers, wondering which ones to push.

"Don't worry, it'll stop on its own," came a voice behind Lyra. She jumped, not expecting anyone else to be here. She turned around, and saw Evan standing in the doorway.

Smiling, Lyra put a hand to her heart, as if this would stop it from jumping out of her chest. "You scared me."

"Sorry, I didn't mean too. The train will stop on its own, the conductor's only here to make sure it gets to its destination," Evan explained.

"What are we going to do when we get to the station?" Lyra asked, looking ahead. Platform Nine and Three Quarters was growing nearer.

"One of my friends from Ravenclaw owled ahead," Evan said. "Come on, there's nothing you can do here."

Nodding, Lyra left. She returned to Draco's compartment. Pansy was feeding him the last bit of chocolate. He was fully awake now, but he was still lying down.

"How are you?" Lyra asked, crouching down next to him.

"I feel weak," Draco replied, closing his eyes. "But the chocolate's helping."

"We'll be there soon where we can get you some help," Lyra said. "Do you think you can sit up?"

Draco nodded, and slowly began pulling himself up. It required great effort on his part, but he somehow managed to do it. He was panting as he rested his head against the side of the compartment.

Lyra could feel the train slowing down greatly. She felt it stop abrupty, and then creep forward a few more feet. "We must be there. Crabbe, Goyle, grab our things. Blaise, help me get Draco out of here."

They nodded, and Lyra and Blaise put Draco's arms around their necks. He was still very weak, but he tried his best to put as much weight on his feet to help even out the load as possible.

Lyra, Blaise, and Draco stepped onto the platform to greet the weary eyes of the parents. Lyra caught the eye contact of Lucius and Narcissa. Narcissa was gripping onto Lucius's robes very tightly. The skin around her eyes was red and puffy, a sharp contrast from the paleness she had everywhere else.

"What happened?" Lucius demanded.

"Dementors," Lyra said. "They attacked Draco."

Narcissa let out a sharp cry.

"He's weak, but he's okay. They didn't get his soul," Lyra said. "We need to get him home."

"Nonsense, we'll go straight to St. Mungo's. Give him to me, Lyra," Lucius said. Lyra and Blaise transferred Draco's weight over to Lucius. Draco mumbled something, but no one could make out what he said.

"I'll take Draco to St. Mungo's. Narcissa, take Lyra back to the manor and then meet me at St. Mungo's," Lucius said.

"But Lucius-"

"Just do it," Lucius growled, before turning and walking away. Lyra's eyes met Narcissa's.

"Here," Goyle said, putting two trunks down in front of Lyra.

"Thanks," Lyra replied, taking the handles of both. Following Narcissa, Lyra left the chaos of the platform. It wasn't long until Lyra and Narcissa reached the countryside, where the booming Malfoy Manor came into view. It was a very pretty manor, much to pretty for someone like the Malfoys, Lyra thought. It was a gorgeous red brick color that sat high up on a hill. Inside, you were greeted by a large, grand staircase Lyra thought was the most magnificent thing she's ever seen.

"Will you be alright here by yourself?" Narcissa asked.

Lyra nodded. "I'll probably turn in for the night."

Narcissa smiled, the opposite of her stone-faced husband. Lyra loved Narcissa. She was kind and gentle, but tough when something needed to be done. She held her own after Lucius was arrested, showing society she could still function without Lucius on her arm.

"The house-elves are here should you need anything," Narcissa said, turning to leave. "You did a great thing today, Lyra. Thank you for saving my son."

"It's the least I could do. I can't ever thank you enough for taking my in and making me family," Lyra replied.

"It's something that should have been done long ago, Lyra. I'm sorry we waited this long," Narcissa said, and left the manor.

Lyra looked around. It was the first time she had ever been in this house by herself. Everything was at her command. Everything that had been off limits during the summer- the library, the two rooms to the left of Lucius and Narcissa's bedroom suite…they were Lyra's to explore.

But Lyra's heart dropped. She didn't know when Lucius and Narcissa would be returning with Draco. If they caught her in one of the rooms, Lyra wasn't sure what was going to happen. She couldn't look- no, she wouldn't look. Feeling the exhaustion of fighting off Dementors, Lyra headed up the staircase to her room. It was exactly how she left it over the summer- neat and tidy.

Not even bothering to take her robes off, Lyra fell into bed, falling asleep immediately.