October 2008
Wizarding London, England
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Sunday
Lyra spent most of Sunday morning on the phone, reassuring Patrick that she was fine and talking her mother off a cliff. She acquiesced to having her father come out the following weekend and left him the task of restraining "Mama Bear," as Lyra called her mother whenever someone or thing dared threaten one of her cubs. She loved her mother and missed her terribly, but she didn't feel up to the task of marathon baking sessions or late night debates about which dog was cuter, Bex or Grandma's ancient spaniel, Frank. She craved instead the sarcastic pragmatism of her dad. He would remind her, like Ginny had, that she had really only been a little bit dead. The world wasn't disappearing from beneath her feet and she needed some damned perspective.
When Kingsley Shacklebolt came to see her, she picked his brain for places to stay while the investigation was underway.
"How long to these things typically take in Britain? Do you think I'll be home by the end of November," Lyra asked the old wizard.
He widened his eyes incredulously. Lyra didn't require an answer.
"Ok, very early December?" She asked hopefully.
"Maybe."
"Ugh. Come on! Can't I go home and come back?" She whined.
"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that here," he replied.
"Where am I going to stay for a month...at least?"
"Auror Zabini's family has a large estate and he's informed me that they are happy to take you in."
"Absolutely not. I just died, Kingsley. Why punish me further by making me take a forced vacation at Chez Sexual Harassment? His mother must be made of steel, poor woman," Lyra answered.
Shacklebolt laughed. "Actually, I think she might be the worst."
Lyra raised her eyebrows. "Huh. Impressive."
"Well, Graeme and I would love to have you, but our home is in ruins with renovations right now," he explained, looking guilty.
"Oh please. Harry told me. You two are brand new empty-nesters. You can call them renovations, but I know the truth. I'd never dream of taking up a room in your house that you and your man still needed to christen," Lyra fired at him with a wink.
The Auror cleared his throat awkwardly. Lyra loved it.
"It's fine. I can stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a few days until something presents itself. I could always try and get a place in No-maj land. Catch up on English TV and whatnot," she mused.
"Whatever are you talking about? Lyra dear, do you need somewhere to to stay?" A feminine voice rang out from the doorway. It was Narcissa Malfoy, making an entrance in a striking set of royal blue robes that made her pale hair pop brilliantly.
"You'll stay with me, of course, you silly sweet thing," she crooned.
"Hi, Mrs. Malfoy. How are you? You look lovely," Lyra got out before continuing automatically. "That's so nice of you, but I'd like to stay in town and, I mean no disrespect, it's a lovely house, but I really would prefer not to go back to the Manor for...a while."
"Well, of course not. I'm staying at the townhouse in London. You can stay there! It's close, we have a full retinue of elves and you can see Draco and Scorpius when they visit," she explained excitedly.
Oh gods. Get out of this, Black. Lyra thought to herself. "Uh..." she began.
"Mrs. Malfoy, that's incredibly kind of you, but from a legal perspective, as there are several investigations ongoing right now, it might seem odd to have the two of you sharing a home," Kingsley provided.
"Oh, I suppose," Narcissa replied, deflating.
Phew, thanks for the save, Shacklebolt, she thought.
"I was actually thinking that I'd like to stay somewhere in Muggle London, anyway. More privacy, less fuss," Lyra explained.
"Oh! You can stay at the Savoy apartment! I won't be there, so there's no argument for collusion, it's not in the Malfoy name, and it's in Muggle London. Problem solved!" Narcissa proclaimed with a happy clap of her hands.
"No. Mrs. Malfoy, it's too nice. I can't," Lyra replied.
"Nonsense. When are you being released?" She asked.
"Um...today. This evening, I think," Lyra answered before turning to Shacklebolt. "Do you think it would be ok?" Lyra had loved that apartment and it did technically meet all the requirements.
"I don't see why not," he answered, sensing her excitement.
Lyra turned back to Draco's mother. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much."
"As long as you need it. I'll phone Sam as soon as I am home and get it set up. We can reconnect it to the Floo network as well so you can come and go as you please" she replied warmly.
Lyra nodded. "I hate to ask you this, but I'd prefer for now that Draco not know I'm there," Lyra said, looking down at her hands and fussing with her thin hospital blanket.
"Of course, that makes sense, with everything you've been through," the blonde witch conceded, looking a little sad.
"Thank you," Lyra said softly, unable to look up. She needed the space, but she was rapidly growing tired of people always referring to 'the things that she'd been through.' Harry, Astoria, Kingsley, Mrs. Malfoy. It made her feel stupid. Weak. Maybe I am, she thought.
They visited for a few minutes before Narcissa left. Shacklebolt told her he didn't expect her at the office until Thursday at the earliest. Lyra looked at him like he was insane.
"You're still healing. Take a few nights of sleep in a real bed. Eat too much food and then come back and we'll get going," he persisted.
Oh good, more patronizing, she quipped to herself.
"There's also the matter of the press..." Shacklebolt explained.
"You said what now?" Lyra asked, suddenly getting nervous.
"Lucius Malfoy's arrest was a big deal, Lyra. The locals out in Wiltshire know something happened at the Manor. The Prophet's been posted at the Ministry, outside the hospital, and at the Malfoy's residences in town. All things considered, I think staying on the Muggle side is a wise move."
Lyra groaned. "What do they know?"
"As of right now? Nothing much. Lucius was arrested. Draco went missing. You know as well as I do that it could all change at the drop of a hat though," he cautioned. "The blood-purity crowd is already calling it a headhunt born of political correctness."
"You still have a blood-purity crowd? That sucks. Idiots. They have no idea," Lyra grumped, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Shit."
"Rest up. Keep your head down and don't worry about it...Until Thursday. At the earliest," he said, standing over her at her bedside.
"Ok, fine, mother hen. You ever coddle Severus like this?" She asked.
"As a matter of fact, occasionally I did, young lady. He, like you, never knew when to take a day off," he fired back, whacking her on the head with a rolled up newspaper.
"Hey! I'm injured, remember?!" She exclaimed, feigning offense and straightening her hair.
"Get some rest. If I see you at the Ministry before Thursday, I will lock you in a trunk." He said lightly, making for the door.
"Tyrant." She quipped.
"Americans." He murmured as he left the room.
October 2008
Wizarding London, England
Sunday
Draco led Astoria and Scorpius out the back landing of his flat, into the alley, to avoid the press.
"Why are we going this way, Daddy?" The little boy asked.
"Oh, just for something new. Can't do the same thing everyday, that's no fun," Draco explained, looking warily over to Astoria who rolled her eyes at him.
"This is outrageous. They were at the hospital yesterday afternoon too. What a nuisance," his ex-wife complained.
"Tell me about it. Scorpius and I had to get delivery last night."
"Daddy let me eat 3 crumble-crusts!" Scorpius exclaimed.
"Draco!" Astoria whacked him in the arm.
"Daddy also told Scorpius not to tell Mummy about those," Draco said down at his son in his arms.
"Oh yeah. I forgot. Sorry, Daddy," Scorpius replied.
"It's alright, son. Astoria, just make him do some laps around the dining room at Nott's. Merlin knows it's big enough."
"Ugh, Draco, just...no."
"Mummy. Can we go see Miss Lyra for pretty shoes?" The boy asked.
"Not today, sweetheart. Lyra isn't in hospital anymore. She got better, isn't that nice!"
"Yeah. Can we go to her house?" He continued.
"I don't know where it is. Maybe we can ask your Grandmother to do your shoes when you visit her tomorrow," she replied.
"That's ok. I'll just ask Miss Lyra next time. She does a pretty good job." Scorpius explained.
"I'm sure she would like that," Draco added, passing him off to Astoria. "I love you, son. Be good for your Mum and Theo. I'll see you Wednesday."
"Bye-bye, Daddy!"
"Be careful on your way to Diagon, yeah?" he said to his ex, looking around for reporters.
"I will. And you, stop fattening our son," she said pinning him with a hard stare before also looking around for stray ears. "Just use the floo to get around, forget those nutters," she said, surprisingly supportive, for her. It was becoming a thing. It made Draco uncomfortable.
"Will do. Thanks," he replied before turning back and heading back up the alley.
