It was two, long, blissful days that Lyra and Charlie spent in the sun before the eye of the public crashed back into their lives. In their own little world where they were just a normal couple. Where there lives weren't constantly under public scrutiny. Lyra had spent some of it with her two best friends, friends who had carried her through the worst of it when there had been nobody else, and who would carry her through the rest of her life supporting her when she had need of them.
It had been with Ron and Hermione, however, that Lyra had eventually been caught. And the next morning, the fourth morning back in England, Lyra came downstairs in Grimmauld Place to be greeted by the Daily Prophet's headline.
GIRL WHO LOVED?
Panicked, Lyra looked up at Sirius who was staring at her apologetically, before she returned to the rest of the article.
The Girl who Lived, Lyra Potter, was spotted in Diagon Alley yesterday afternoon with her two best friends - Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. Our reporter saw them sitting and laughing outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, being tended to by the original owners nephew. The keen eyed among you may, as our reporter did, notice a ring on Potter's left hand. However, our reporter was not able to get close enough to talk to the Girl who Lived, as they moved off and disapparated shortly after.
Is Lyra Potter engaged?
Who is the lucky man?
When will the Wedding be?
If anyone has any information, please contact the Daily Prophet.
Lyra was furious, furious at herself for not being more careful. Furious at the Daily Prophet for not being more respectful of her privacy. Leaving her breakfast, she immediately Flooed to Charlie's flat and flung the paper down in front of him.
"They've found out" she raged, "I've tried so hard to keep it private for us.. And they've found out. I'm so sorry Charlie! They're never going to leave us alone! We won't be able to go out without them following us. I can't even go to Diagon Alley without a photographer publishing my private life! Once they find out it's true and I'm engaged to you they won't leave you alone either!"
She broke down in tears of anger, and was quickly enfolded in Charlie's arms. He soothed her slowly, holding her close as he kissed her head.
"So we give it to them" he said, slowly. Lyra looked up at him in confusion. Charlie kissed her forehead again as he explained.
"We tell them what they want to know - I'm sure Luna would be happy to publish our story. Once they know everything we could ask them to leave us alone.." Although the words were confident his tone displayed a slight doubtful edge. Lyra thought it over, but she couldn't think of a better alternative.
She pulled back, looking up at Charlie tearfully.
"My whole life has been their property, you know. When my parents died all they did was celebrate Voldemort's death. When I started at Hogwarts I was stared at constantly. When I said Voldemort was back I was ridiculed in the Prophet until Sirius was freed. Then I managed to get rid of Voldemort, with help although they don't care about that... I just wanted us to be ours. I didn't want this to be constantly discussed. I just.. Charlie, I just hoped that our engagement would be celebrated in the family. With your family and Sirius, Remus and Dora and my little Teddy and all our friends. And now they know, and we're never going to get a seconds peace!"
Charlie tilted her chin upwards so she was looking at him.
"I know, Ly" he murmured, "but you're famous and you're their heroine. They want to know all about you, cruel though that is, but Ly.. I love you. We'll face this together. For the rest of our lives."
"Oh, Charlie!" Lyra threw herself into his arms, and he wrapped them around her as the couple stood together. "We'll go and see Luna then? Get this over and done with?"
With linked hands, the couple turned to face their future.
Sorry this has taken so long! It took me a while to decide how the public would find out - through the Prophet leaking it, or through Ly and Charlie doing an interview with the Quibbler. Eventually I decided to do both.