Lyra looked at herself in her mirror in the dorm room she shared with three other Slytherin girls who were still sleeping. Lyra finished putting up her hair into a waterfall twist. She made sure it was perfect before she slipped on her cloak. She left her dorm while barely acknowledging the people in the common room. The portrait was closing behind her when she heard her name being called. She turned her head as Atticus Erikson, who was in her year, was slipping out before the portrait closed completely.
Atticus was a handsome young wizard with aristocratic features in his face. He has long brown hair he keeps in a loose braid. His eyes were a amber looking color mixed with brown. He was tall like Remus with a muscular figure more similar to Sirius. All of the Slytherin girls had a crush, except for Lyra.
"Good-morning, Erikson." Lyra said. "Can I help you?"
Atticus grinned at Lyra as he brushed back his fringe out of his face where it had fallen.
"Please, call me Atticus." He said then placed a hand on his chest. "I was hoping you would permit me to walk with you to the Great Hall."
Lyra looked at Atticus in surprise because he's never really spoke to her before let alone asked to walk her anywhere. She pushed away the shock while knowing she had to accept his request since it would be rude not to. Druella Black taught her daughters to be polite to their 'peers', and if one of them was caught being rude...well, the outcome wasn't pretty.
"Yes, of course." Lyra said nodding.
Atticus's grin widened as he dipped his head. He motioned for her to go first. She walked on with Atticus falling into step beside her.
"How have you been?" Atticus asked to start conversation. "It must be hard on your family to deal with that blood traitor."
Lyra frowned up at Atticus when he spat the words with clear distain. He clearly did not like Sirius. Though most purebloods didn't.
"Yes, my family is very upset, but they will pull through." Lyra said. "However, I am not mad at Sirius. I still view him as my family."
Atticus looked at Lyra with a bit of surprise in his eyes as they continued walking to the Great Hall.
"After everything he caused?" Atticus asked. "Lyra, he abandoned your family. He abandoned you. He could have had a future with you, and he threw it away for selfish reasons."
Lyra bit her tongue a moment as she counted back from five, so she wouldn't say something rude that would get back to her mother.
"I respect my cousin's decisions." Lyra said. "So, yes, even after everything, I am still not angry with him. Besides, he didn't want a future with me."
Atticus seemed stumped a moment again then he smiled at Lyra as they stopped in front of the Great Hall.
"That is his greatest mistake." Atticus said as he took Lyra's hand. "To give up such a beautiful young woman was a foolish thing to do. However, maybe his mistake will be my gain."
He kissed Lyra on the knuckles, and her mouth turned down into a frown. She did not like the sound of that. Lyra felt eyes on her, and she glanced over to see her friends and the Marauders watching her and Atticus. She held back a grimace.
"Shall we find a place to sit?" Atticus asked while still holding onto her hand.
"Thank-you, Erikson, but I will be sitting with my friends once I get my timetable from Professor Slughorn." Lyra said.
Atticus glanced over to the Gryffindor table with his eyes locking with Sirius's gray orbs. They glared at each other a moment.
"Lyra, you need to think about the company you keep." Atticus said looking back to her. "Spending time with people like them will reflect poorly on your family. They do not need that right now after your cousin disgraced them as he did."
Lyra pulled her hand away from Atticus as she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Thank-you, Erikson, for the advice, but I can decide things for myself." Lyra said. "Now, if you excuse me, I really must get my timetable."
She went to walk away, but Atticus quickly grabbed her wrist. She stiffened while trying to pull back. Atticus tightened his hold, so she couldn't break free.
"I am only trying to look out for you, Lyra." Atticus said. "Please, rethink your circle of friends."
Lyra was about to retort, but a voice was cleared. They turned seeing Sirius standing there with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Is there a problem here?" Sirius asked.
"None of your concern, Black." Atticus said with a sneer. "I'm only trying to speak with Lyra. Why don't you lot run along back to your mates?"
Sirius narrowed his eyes at the guy, and Lyra could see that Sirius was ready to pounce. She quickly pulled her wrist out of Atticus's grip.
"I told you, Erikson, I would be sitting with my friends." Lyra said calmly. "Thank-you for the invitation to sit with you, but I must decline."
Atticus frowned then threw a glare in Sirius's direction. However, he soon grinned 'charmingly' at Lyra.
"Perhaps next time I shall we able to be graced with your lovely presence for breakfast." He said then dipped his head. "See you in class."
He walked away leaving the two cousins standing there. Sirius glanced down at Lyra to see she was frowning after Atticus.
"Are you okay, Lyra?" Sirius asked.
"I'm fine." Lyra said. "Thank-you, for coming to my rescue, but I had everything handled."
Sirius chuckled grinning as he nodded his head. Even though Atticus backed off, Sirius walked with Lyra to get her timetable from Slughorn.
"Ah, Lyra, my progeny." Slughorn said when she walked up to him. "How lovely to see you."
Sirius rolled his eyes knowing this was probably going to be a long and boring talk.
"Lovely to see you as well, Professor Slughorn." Lyra said. "I came to get my timetable."
"Oh, yes!" Slughorn said as he shifted through the papers. "Here you are, my dear. I made sure to have you placed in double potions with Gryffindor. Having my star pupils together is always a treat."
Lyra knew Slughorn was speaking of her and Lily who were his best students.
"Thank-you, Professor." Lyra said with a polite smile.
Slughorn smiled at her in return as he handed Lyra her timetable, which had her core class except for Astronomy since she dropped it. Then her electives.
"Now, we better eat breakfast before classes." Sirius said as he grabbed Lyra's hand.
He knew if he didn't intervene now that Slughorn would have kept on talking and talking.
"Oh, of course." Slughorn said looking at tad disappointed.
"See you in class, Professor." Lyra said kindly.
Slughorn nodded as the two Blacks walked away towards the Gryffindor table. Sirius finally let go of Lyra's hand, and he retook his seat beside James. Lyra sat down next to Lily with Alice and Ellery, who had gotten her timetable from Flitwick, sitting across from them.
"What was that about with Erikson?" James asked around a mouthful of eggs.
Lily grimaced at his manners as Lyra silently held out a napkin towards him since some of the eggs got on his face. James took the napkin to wipe his mouth as everyone looked towards Lyra since they wanted an answer.
"I was leaving the common room when he ran to catch up with me." Lyra asked. "He asked if he could walk me here. I allowed it. He was asking me how I was doing about...Sirius leaving."
Sirius frowned while looking over at the Slytherin table to glare at Atticus who was speaking with Nott and Avery.
"I told him I was fine." Lyra said. "That I respected Sirius's decision, which he didn't understand."
"And let me guess, he said it wasn't right that Sirius left his betrothed behind." Ellery guessed.
"Yes, he said it was wrong." Lyra said nodding. "I told him Sirius never wished to marry me in the first place."
Sirius visibly winced when Lyra said, but only his friends noticed since the girls were all focused on what Lyra was saying. Lyra also didn't think it'd affect him, which was why she was speaking in front of him instead of in private with the girls.
"He then tried to be flatteringly by saying what Sirius did was foolish." Lyra said then frowned. "...then he hinted that he might be my next betrothed by saying that Sirius's loss was his gain."
There was a loud clang at the table since James, who had been about to take a bite from his eggs, dropped them his fork, and it landed on his plate loudly. Sirius's jaw clenched harshly as Remus, Lily, and Alice looked absolutely shocked. Ellery just blinked though that was her way of showing she was a bit stunned.
"Erikson?" James asked. "That tosser is worst than Nott and Avery combined. He can act as charming as he wants, he's the slimiest git Slytherin has."
Lyra sighed nodding her head in agreement. Atticus was known for being cruel. However, what makes him scary is that he's a cruel git with charisma. He can get people to do as he wants usually just with a smooth word here or there. He's also known for shagging girls and leaving them like Sirius. However, Atticus usually squashing their confidence after he's done with them. Makes them feel ugly and useless just to make things more amusing to him yet the girls still love him. Lyra doesn't understand why.
"Lyra, you can't marry someone like him!" Lily said.
"Nothing is certain." Lyra said. "Mother and Aunt Walburga are still talking about possible suitors. However, Mother told me she and Aunt Walburga should have an man chosen by the time I return home for the Christmas holiday."
"None of this is fair." Alice said frowning.
"It doesn't have to be." Lyra said sighing. "That's how being a pureblood works."
Which is why Sirius ran from his home. Ran from the world of the purebloods. He just wished he would have taken Lyra with him. He looked over at Lyra as she was trying to assure all of them that she would be fine. He knew that even if she could put up with the life his and hers mothers chose for her that she wouldn't be happy or really living.
He knew he had to try to convince her to leave. He couldn't let the fate of a pureblood wife be hers. He knew she wouldn't be happy to be locked away in a large dark house. She wouldn't be happy only being allowed outside in public just to be a trophy on someone's arm. That wasn't the kind of life for Lyra. She deserved much more. He just had to convince her of that.
Slytherin and Gryffindor sixth years walked into their Potions class to see Professor Slughorn was already waiting for them. Lily and Alice paired together since Slughorn said it would be unfair for both Lyra and Lily to pair together since they were the brightest in his class. Sirius was going to pair with James as always, but when he saw Atticus making his way towards Lyra, he shot James a looked. James turned seeing what had Sirius bothered. He frowned then sighed. He knew what he had to do.
"You owe me." James said then turned. "Oi, Erikson, let's be partners!"
Atticus paused to glare at James as Lyra turned finally noticing him. She paled when seeing him.
"Actually, Potter, I was going to ask Lyra to be my partner." Atticus said.
"Sorry, Erikson, but Lyra already agreed to be my partner." Sirius said as he stepped up beside Lyra.
Atticus frowned then looked to Lyra to see Lyra seemed a bit shocked by Sirius's words, but she had covered it quickly.
"Ah, yes." Lyra said. "I am sorry, Erikson."
Erikson grumbled then turned away from James to partner up with Severus who had been without a partner.
"Now what am I going to do?" James asked. "There's no one else."
"Ah, yes, it does seem we have an odd amount of students." Slughorn said. "Potter, why don't you just pair up with Black and Lyra?"
James nodded relieved he wasn't stuck with a Slytherin or by himself. He wasn't the best at potions. He'd undoubtfully make something explode if left on his own. He joined Lyra and Sirius at a table as Lily shot her friend a sympathetic look. Lyra just smiled shrugging. She actually didn't mind James. Yes, he was a bit immature, but he was a nice guy.
"Thank-you both for coming to my rescue." Lyra said sincerely.
"Like we could let you be with that git." James said. "We look after our friends."
Lyra was a bit surprised for a second. Sure, she and James have always been civil towards each other. Mostly because of how much time Sirius spent with Lyra, and how he would bring her around the Marauders when she wasn't with her friends. However, he's never referred to her as an actual friend.
"Oh, James Potter thinks of me as a friend, should I feel flattered?" Lyra asked.
Sirius grinned trying not to laugh as James puffed out his chest. He knew what was coming even if his best mate didn't.
"Pfft, of course." James said. "I am the best friend to have."
"James dear, your neck has to be killing you with how it has to hold up that fairly large head of yours." Lily said with 'sincere' concern.
Sirius let out a barking laugh as James looked at sweet, little Lyra in shock. Remus, who had heard what she said, was trying not to laugh from the table in front of them. Lily, who was beside them, was giggling as well with Alice.
"I thought you were the sweet Black!" James said.
"What?" Lyra asked as she blinked innocently. "Did I say something wrong?"
She looked up at Sirius, who was grinning from ear to ear, as James just started pouting.
"Mate, do you really think I wouldn't rub off on her after all the time we spent together as kids?" Sirius asked. "Lyra isn't as sweet as everyone thinks."
James soon stopped pouting as a grin found its way onto his face. He shook his head a bit as he chuckled. It was a bit of a surprise, but not necessarily a bad one. Slughorn hushed the class as he held up a vile.
"Anyone care to guess what this is?" Slughorn asked.
No one answered because one couldn't give an answer by simply looking at a vile.
"Black, why don't you take a guess." Slughorn said as he tossed the vile to Sirius who caught it.
Sirius looked at the vile to see inside that the liquid was clear. He un-popped the cork to take a whiff, but smelled nothing.
"Ah, odorless, isn't it?" Slughorn hummed as he grinned.
Sirius frowned in confusion as Lyra immediately realized what was in the vile by seeing it clear and hearing from Slughorn it was odorless.
"Veritaserum, sir." She said.
"Correct, Miss Black!" Slughorn said grinning. "Excellent, 10 points to Slytherin."
The Slytherins murmured happily to get some points as Severus frowned a bit. He had been ready to answer that. However, he knew that like him Lyra did exceptionally well in potions. He should be happy his house got points.
"Show off." Sirius muttered though he was grinning, so Lyra knew he was teasing.
She shrugged modestly as Sirius corked the vile back tightly before tossing it back to Slughorn.
"Can anyone tell me what Veritaserum is used for?" Slughorn continued.
"It's a truth potion, sir." Lily said. "The drinker of the potion is forced to answer any questions put before them truthfully. It's the most powerful truth potion in existence."
"Fantastic, Miss Evans." Slughorn said. "10 points to Gryffindor."
Lily turned to playfully stick her tongue out at Lyra, and the dark-haired witch lightly laughed in amusement.
"Today we will be studying on how to properly brew Veritaserum." Slughorn said. "Then I want an essay on it on my desk by next Monday. We will also be starting to brew the Veritaserum in class tomorrow."
Most of the class groaned because they didn't want work on the first day, but Slughorn ignored them.
"Can anyone tell me how long it takes to brew the Veritaserum?" Slughorn asked.
"A full lunar cycle, which is 28 days, sir." Severus said.
"Correct, Mr. Snape." Slughorn said.
He gave ten more points to Slytherin as James and Sirius rolled their eyes.
"Now, I know you will most likely have to come in between your classes or after hours to check on your potion." Slughorn said. "I have let Professor Dumbledore know this, but do not use this potion as an excuse to be leaving the dorms at night to go cause trouble. You will be doing this in partners or group of three, so you all may take turns checking on the potion."
Slughorn then told them to open their books, so that they could get started on the reading. As they were reading, Lyra tried to ignore Sirius and James as they were goofing off by folding pieces of parchment into different animals. Lyra shook her head at them though knew telling them to read would do very little. She was about to block out what they were doing until suddenly a paper swan appeared to float in front of her as if swimming. Her eyes widened a bit, and she looked to see the boys had used a charm to bring their little paper creations to life.
"Potter! Black!" Lily growled in annoyance when a paper frog landed on her head.
Over thirty or more paper creatures were flying around the room and doing loops around people's heads or doing twirls in the air. James and Sirius laughed as some of the students thought it funny while the others were annoyed. Leave it to James and Sirius to make class a bit more exciting even in a small way.
Ellery joined up with her friends during the break between morning and afternoon classes. They went out to the courtyard where they sat around the tree there. Lily immediately brought out the Transfiguration homework that was assigned to them earlier.
"Lily, don't tell me you're already starting on the homework!" Alice groaned. "That essay isn't due until next week. Enjoy today because we won't get many of them much longer."
Lily frowned because she really wanted to get ahead of this essay, so she wouldn't have to worry about it later.
"What else is there to do?" Lily challenged.
"Relaxing!" Alice said cheerily. "Look at Lyra, she hasn't a care in the world, and Ellery is the perfect example of relaxed."
Lily looked at their two friends to see Ellery laying on her back with book in hand, and her legs stretched out in front of her with her ankles crossed. Lyra was sitting with perfect poster as always with Ellery's head in her lap. She was playing around with Ellery's hair by braiding it. Both of them didn't look as if they would be doing any work anytime soon. Lily shook her head at them...However, she supposes she could take it easy today since it is the first day. She closed her book, which had Alice beaming at her.
"Just this once." Lily said.
"Yeah, wouldn't want ya to make a habit of relaxing, right, Las?" Ellery asked sarcastically as she kept her eyes on her book, which she was holding above her.
Lily replied to the sarcastic remark by plucking some grass off the ground to toss onto Ellery's face. Lyra and Alice chuckled as Ellery merely blinked at the grass that hinder her view from her book. Ellery was removing the grass from her face when shadows fell over the girls. They all looked up, and Lily groaned in annoyance when seeing who it was.
"Ladies, enjoying the nice weather?" James asked grinning.
"We were until you arrived, Potter." Lily said frowning at him and Sirius. "Hullo, Remus, Peter."
Her expression softened as she smiled politely towards the other Marauders. Remus smiled at Lily and the girls in return. Peter nodded his head while glancing around in an almost skittish manner. Ignoring Lily's obvious distaste for them, James plopped down beside her on the grass. She glared at him as he smiled at her.
"Well, you three might as well join us." Ellery said. "James already made himself comfortable."
Sirius didn't have to be told twice. He sat down beside Lyra as she was weaving Ellery's hair into different braids. Remus was a bit more hesitant, and waited for a nod from Lily to take a seat beside Alice by Ellery's legs. Said strawberry blonde moved her feet into Remus's lap since it was more comfortable to have them a bit elevated like her head was from where it rested in Lyra's lap. Remus blinked over at her, but Ellery's eyes remained on her books. Since he really didn't mind he left her legs in place.
"Actually, I need to go." Peter said. "I'll catch up with all of you later."
"Oh...alright." James said. "Later, mate."
Peter nodded then left in a bit of a hurry. Lyra tilted her head wondering what was up with Peter. He was acting different. Alice was about to start up a conversation since everything got quiet, but she then spotted Frank walking with some of his fellow seventh years.
"Frank!" Alice called out waving as she got to her feet.
Frank turned to the sound of his girlfriend's voice. He smiled when his eyes landed on her. He waved her over.
"I'll see you all later." Alice said as she grabbed her things.
"Leaving us again." Lily said with a teasingly forlorn sigh.
"She's must not love us anymore." Lyra added with a pout.
"How will we go on?" Ellery asked not even trying to sound upset.
Alice laughed at her friends' antics then kissed Lyra on the cheek in a sisterly manner.
"Of course, I still love all of you." Alice said. "But I need to spend time with Frank too. When you get boyfriends you'll understand."
Lily snorted with a roll of her eyes. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend at the moment. She had to focus on her studies. Lyra only wrinkled her nose because she never thought of dating. She knew she was to marry Sirius, so she didn't see the point. However, she supposes things were different now.
"I don't need a man, thanks." Ellery said. "Perfectly independent and single."
"More like you have your eyes on someone, but are too stubborn to go for it." Alice said shaking her head.
"Oh really?" James asked grinning.
"Do tell." Sirius added.
Alice chuckled though said no more as she waved goodbye to her friends and the Marauders. She hurried over to Frank who kissed her sweetly in greeting. They walked off together leaving the six sixth years in the courtyard.
"Snodgrass, we had no idea there was a man out there that could even catch your indifferent gaze." James said still grinning. "Care to share who?"
"No." Ellery said as she sat up to only lean against the tree. "Because there is no one. The girls just think there is."
The Marauders looked to Lyra and Lily who were shaking their heads as if disappointed.
"There totally is!" Lily said. "It's obvious. Just stop denying it, Elle."
"I'm not denying anything because there is nothing to deny because there is no guy I like." Ellery said smartly.
Lyra laughed as Lily and Ellery argued (mostly just Lily) about whether Ellery liked someone or not.
"And what do you think, Lyra?" Remus asked. "Do you think Ellery likes someone?"
Lyra looked at Remus seeing that he seemed a bit nervous to hear the answer. She tilted her head. Did Remus...like Ellery?
"Well, Lily, Alice, and I believe she's fancied this one boy since fourth year." Lyra said honestly.
Remus seemed a bit disappointed to hear this. Lyra felt a bit giddy when realizing she was right. Remus did like Ellery.
"Who is it?" Sirius asked while looking at his friend.
Sirius and James both knew that Remus has had a crush on Ellery since third year. They remember their friend coming back to the common room with a goofy expression on his face after having a run-in with Ellery in the library. According to him, she's the most beautiful and bright witch in the entire world. He's just been to afraid to say anything because of his...'furry problem' that comes once a month.
"Can't tell." Lyra said as she glanced at Ellery who was still 'arguing' with Lily. "Ellery acts indifferently about it all, but she would kill me if I said...then dump my body in the lake."
Sirius was about to start begging because he knew Lyra couldn't resist his puppy eyes. However, he didn't need to pull them out.
"But I can give you a few hints." Lyra said smiling.
James grinned eagerly while leaning in. Some might not know this about him, but he did enjoy a bit of gossip. Besides, hearing that someone like Ellery Snodgrass, whose only emotion is indifference, fancies someone is like hearing that there's two purple unicorns dancing the samba in the Great Hall. Sirius also leaned in with his brow quirked curious.
"He's a sixth year in your house." Lyra said. "That is all I am going to say."
Remus's eyes showed a tiniest amount of hope when hearing this. There were only nine sixth year boys in Gryffindor house. The boys could easily deduce that Sirius and James weren't the boy Ellery liked. Because if Ellery was going to like anyone it wouldn't be two pranksters, especially since one of them is a major ladies man (Sirius).
They doubted it was Peter too because Ellery wouldn't like someone who was intimidated by her. That left six more. They highly doubted it was Spinnet, Kirke, or Midgen...those three weren't much...quite boring actually. Sure, Spinnet was a fantastic chaser, but outside the pitch no one really pays attention to him.
That left Remus, Gideon Prewett, and Rodney Hopkins. Gideon was a prefect like Remus, and one of the Chasers on the team. He was good looking lad, and many girls swooned when he walked by. He even was a nice guy. Rodney was a nice guy too with good looks. He was one of the top students with a bright future, and he came from a nice family. Sirius and James thought Remus was still better than those two. Why would Ellery like them when she can like Remus who likes her more than he'd admit?
"Come on." Lyra sighed softly. "It isn't that hard to figure out."
She shook her head seeming disappointed in the boys. Lily, who Lyra had explained to why the boys got so quiet, was also tsking. Boys could be so thick-headed.
"Well, if you can't figure it out, let's move on to another subject." Ellery said.
"Ah, you're trying to be evasive!" James said pointing. "So it is true."
James grinned looking triumphant for his little realization, but Ellery blinked at him in return not looking impressed. Sirius chuckled then absently started playing with Lyra's hair. The rest of the break was spent listening to James rile up Lily enough to cause her to start yelling at him. Lyra tried to keep the peace as Sirius watched laughing. Remus was silent while stealing glances at Ellery who was managing to read despite all the noise. Just a typical day with the Marauders and the...girls...they really need to get a name for their group.
Random: Longest chapter yet.