AN/- This chapter will dive deeper into Lyra's life and sets a lot of context for what is to come. As a character, she was one of the deepest I've dived into. So her backstory is a very powerful one. As the story progresses further, you will begin to understand her more.

Chapter 10

Burns

Lyra opened her eyes as her entire body hurt, when she tried to move. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. She struggled to push herself up, as a stabbing pain began in her chest. Somehow, she managed to sit up. Someone moved in the chair next to her, as Lyra's eyes moved to them.

Minerva had managed to curl up like a cat in the large armchair, an extremely comfortable look on her face. She didn't know, how any one could be comfortable sleeping like that.

Lyra sighed, taking in her surroundings, noticing that she was in the hospital wing. The happenings of the day, returned to her and with them a sickening feeling. She had defied the element of fire, twice! This meant something very different, for someone who belonged to the 27 Coven.

"Lyra…?" Minerva called softly as she uncurled from her position. Lyra looked at her, breaking away from her own thoughts.

"Minerva…you don't need to be here…I'm fine…" said Lyra gruffly while wincing as the pain on her left side stabbed at her. It was unlike something she had ever felt before. It felt like someone was drilling a hole into her heart.

"It's alright, I don't mind. I'm just happy that you're alive." Minerva said, a look of sheer relief was etched on her face.

"Will take more than a few dragons and trolls to kill me." Lyra replied smirking. Minerva shook her head at the remark. She then poured some water and mixed in a vial of strengthening potion.

"Here…this should help."

"Thank you…" Lyra replied. She was extremely touched by the woman's kindness. She was still a stranger, even though she was family. She didn't really need to be here, for her.

Lyra now looked at her bandaged arms and legs. She had a feeling she was covered in nasty burns.

"How bad is it?" Lyra asked Minerva, who sat at the foot of the bed.

"Madam Pomfrey said, using healing salve over a few days should remove any trace of a burn. You inhaled a lot of smoke though…and broke a rib…but she said those should heal soon. However, no smoking!" Minerva narrated the list that the Matron had advised.

"For a few days…"

"No Lyra…no smoking!"

"I'm a healer too, Minerva…I know it's only for a few days. I know how to clear my lungs when I need to. My mind on the other hand...needs a cigaratte!" Lyra said gently shaking her head.

"Your brother was very worried about you. He'll be pleased to know that you're awake."

"Michelin…? Oh…I need to get him new cufflinks!" Lyra said thoughtfully.

"He loves me too much for his own good." She added sighing.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Oh…no…don't get me wrong…I love him…just as fiercely as he loves me. But…loving me…has nasty side effects…" said Lyra truthfully. Minerva frowned.

"That is such rubbish! Who put that idea into your head?"

"No one…it's just…never mind." Lyra said growing extremely quiet suddenly, as a memory flashed in her mind.

"Lyra…?" Minerva pressed wondering what the woman was thinking.

"It's probably, why my real parents dumped me, right?" said Lyra shrugging in response.

Minerva looked at her in disappointment.

"That's not true, Lyra…"

"Yeah, well…I'll never know...will I?" Snapped Lyra sighing and then painfully turn her back towards Minerva. She suddenly felt like she needed to be alone, dark thoughts began clouding her mind.

Minerva looked at Lyra's back. Knowing that it was best that this conversation was left as it is. She quietly settled down in the armchair again. She heard the woman silently sniff a few times, before she fell asleep again.

Minerva replayed Athena's warning in her mind. Perhaps, her sister was right.

Lyra on the other hand, knew exactly who had put this thought in her mind.

It had been on one of her customary Christmas visits to Boston. Every year, Margery Lincolns held the annual family Christmas party, and every year Grandma McGonagall showed up with gifts and merriness, for a list of family and friends who were invited. Lyra, was consistently omitted from said list.

Ever since, the Lincolns had adopted Lyra, Grandma M had despised her. She had managed to imbibe such a fear of her in Lyra's heart, even the woman's boggart would take her form. In the beginning, Lyra had endured her nastiness, even pulled her over-protective brother away, from defending her. Because, at the end of the day, Grandma M was always factually correct.

"You don't belong here."

"You're not their daughter…you never will be."

"Don't expect anything but disdain from me…you are a disgrace to this family."

"You think you deserve this? All of this? You may have tricked them into loving you…but don't expect that from me."

"You can be the best at everything, but you'll still never be a part of this family."

"You're not really their child, you know this, don't you? You're just someone that Margery took pity on. Merlin, knows why she ever brought you home though?"

Lyra had been deeply affected by the constant comments she got. Everything and anything she did to impress Grandma M, was never enough. She would never consider her family. It had become somewhat of a taboo for Lyra. She remembered crying alone in her bed every Christmas, after Grandma M had launched into nasty things about her, which was customary. Grandma M also always bought Michelin the most elaborate gifts. Michelin would happily part with them, if Lyra had asked, but she never did. They were not hers to take. As Lyra grew older, she learnt to ignore those nasty comments and so did the family. Initially, her mother had decreed that she never wanted Grandma M to come to see them again. Lyra remembered, a horrible spat that her mother had with her own over this. However, Lyra had been the one to tell Margery that she didn't really care about what Grandma M said. Margery had obviously ignored her attempt at making peace, but Lyra was adamant about it.

The family knew that Lyra, was unbothered by Grandma M. Although, they were still uncomfortable every time she said something nasty to her. Lyra kept brushing it away. But that didn't mean the fear went away. It wasn't just the fear of Grandma M, it had never just been that. The real fear, was of her family abandoning her. Just like the many threats, Grandma M used to throw her way. They were not related by blood. The truth had been revealed to her when she had just turned 15. She had realised it, ever since she was old enough to understand the situation. She obviously looked like none of them. It wasn't that hard to tell. But when Grandma M had put it so plainly, it became her reality. But Lyra knew they loved her, and losing them, meant Lyra would be truly alone. So, Lyra built walls around herself, she hardly had friends, she hardly had relationships, she kept away from her family, even when they kept pulling her closer. But Lyra, was too afraid of being abandoned. Her biological parents had clearly abandoned her, why wouldn't these people?

When she was fifteen, Grandma M had let slip that she was a charity case picked off the streets. Lyra had realised that perhaps it was time she found her real parents. She had demanded that her parents tell her who her biological parents were. Initially, they pretended to not know. But after a lot of rebelling and multiple nights away from home, and cooping the entire summer of her seventh year at Zenia's in defiance, her parents had finally caved in and told her just two things. That her true surname was Marks, and that she was born in England. So as soon as Lyra had turned of age, she had changed her name.

She had then searched for these Marks people, anyone with this name, purebloods, muggles, muggle-borns…literally anyone! But she had failed, having no contacts in England, not even knowing where to begin. She had no idea, if these people were muggles or magical? But she had not given up, she had risen in rank, joined the Coven and reopened her search, but she kept running into barriers everywhere. It was as if these people were ghosts. So, she put her search on the back-burner and did what she did best, worked herself to push her feelings and emotions deep down. However, these thoughts kept coming back to haunt her from time to time. Especially, now, that she was literally so close to the source. However, she was older now, she wasn't petty about the fact that her parents had abandoned her, but she still wanted to know why. She wanted to know who these people were? Who she truly was. What made her so powerful? She had a feeling, the answer to her identity crisis began and ended there. She did not blame these unknowns for the way she was, no that was all her doing. But, finding these people had been her fiery purpose in life, it kept her going.

While these thoughts, played in her head, Lyra drifted off into a restless sleep. Only to wake up hours later to the matron chatting with some student in the bed next to her.

"You're awake…that's a relief!" Said the matron kindly as she brought her a tray of potions to consume.

"Ah…Severus…I wonder if you could help me?" said the Matron looking at Snape who had just entered the hospital wing to refill the month's potions requirement.

"I need to rush to the great hall, to help Mr. Belby with his cure for boils. I was wondering, if you could help Ms. Marks, with her bandages…apply some healing salve…and tie them up again." Instructed Madam Pomfrey.

"I am not your assistant, Madam!" Snape spat at her distastefully.

"You do everything for everyone around here, and no one steps in to help…" Madam Pomfrey began her small rant in a huff.

"FINE!" Thundered Snape, as he stormed towards Lyra's bed.

Lyra looked at him a little warily as he yanked her hand towards him and began undoing the bandages manually.

"Don't let her touch it…her body still has active acid flowing…it'll reopen any healed wounds!" Madam Pomfrey trailed off as she left the wing in a rush.

The smell was putrid as her hand was unveiled, it smelt like burnt flesh, masked by the stench of the salve itself. Snape waved his wand over her hand to clean it quickly. He then began generously patting the salve all over it. His technique was professional and he quickly got the job done.

Lyra looked at him carefully, studying his features. He was still the same, too clean for her liking. So, she decided to try and make small talk to see if she could find something out.

"Severus…is an interesting name…I've never heard it before."

"It's Roman."

"Your parents were Italian?"

"No."

"Right…so…you're just not going to give me anything to work with?" She muttered to herself. He looked up at her. His hand still holding hers gently.

"Why are you suddenly interested in me…Ms. Marks?"

"I find you…"

"Find me what?" He snapped angrily cutting her off. Arrogant, nasty, prudish, elitist, snobbish, brutish, that was generally what most people used. Which would she pick?

"Too clean." She said pensively. Severus frowned. Too clean? What the hell did that mean?

"You can read minds…so it's obvious that you would know how to block people out. What I don't understand is, why would a Hogwarts professor need to learn Legillimency? And even so, you're not like most of the others, I've come across. You leave no signs, no cues, no expressions…you're as unreadable as it gets. A shadow…really!" Lyra added calmly.

Snape stayed quiet. He continued to finish working on her hands and then rebandaged them.

"Perhaps, those sedatives are making you crazy, Ms. Marks…? Or perhaps, you have always been that way. I shall ask Madam Pomfrey, to start weening you off." He sneered sharply. She glared at him.

Lyra had a feeling he wasn't best pleased to know what she thought of him.

Another class of Potions went by with another Acceptable scribbled against her ranking sheet. Sarah stared at the grade in annoyance. If she didn't pick up slack in this class, she wasn't going to get into St. Augustine's medical internship program, even if Lyra wrote a recommendation for her. Sarah scoffed, not like she wanted to work in the potions department anyway, she wanted to actually help heal people, not just make antidotes for poisons and what not.

Sarah packed her things as the class was dismissed.

"Ms. Lincolns, please come see me!" Snape called out to her. Sarah paused, she really didn't want another lecture on how he was going to fail her, and how she was terrible at potions. Sometimes, she just wanted to tell him off for being such a hard-ass.

Sarah walked up to his desk as he stopped his grading. She could see red marks all across someone's essay. He'd marked it as a 2 on 100. Sarah really didn't want to be that person.

"Here…go deposit this with the matron. It's some extra healing salve for your aunt's burns." He said pushing a container towards Sarah. Sarah looked at that container with unease.

"I…I can't sir…" Sarah stammered.

"Why not?" Snape asked with mild annoyance.

"I…I haven't visited her…since…" Said Sarah scrapping her feet on the stone floor. He sneered at the sound and leaned back in his chair, looking at her.

"Rather ungrateful of you, isn't it, Ms. Lincolns?"

"I'm not ungrateful…I'm just…"

"A coward?" He offered.

Sarah glared at him, her nostrils flared in a very McGonagall manner. She snatched the container off the desk, and stormed out of the classroom.

Snape smirked. Gryffindors were so easy! Even if she wasn't one, it was obvious where she'd fit in. No wonder, Potter looked up to her. However, what Severus couldn't understand, was what Zeus saw in that spoilt little rich American brat. He clearly had some unhealthy crush on her. Severus rolled his eyes. Whatever it was, he had done his bit, no idea why he'd agreed to that boy's request in the first place. But Zeus had managed to convince him. Severus shook his head and went back to grading the worst essay of the year. Here was something worth sharing in the staffroom for laughs today.

Sarah made her way to the hospital wing after lunch. She had no idea if her aunt would be awake. But it was time she gave up on her stupid fear and looked in on Lyra. Sarah was afraid after what had just happened, Lyra wouldn't want to continue helping her. And fairly so, the woman had literally almost died. Sarah blamed herself for it. If she hadn't been stupid and put her name in the Goblet of Fire, things would have been completely different. Lyra wouldn't be here, she would be off somewhere catching dark wizards and saving innocent people from their doom.

When she entered the wing, she noticed Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall sitting by Lyra's bed. So, this is where the two of them had been through lunch. All of them were looking intensely at a chess board.

"This is absolute cheating!" Dumbledore muttered under his breath as he stroked his long beard.

Lyra chuckled as Minerva tapped her fingers on the bed waiting for him to make his move.

"Absolute cheating…" He muttered again.

"Go on…this was your idea…" Lyra laughed.

"You do realise your aunt is brilliant at chess…" He replied staring at the board. Lyra noticed Minerva roll her eyes at his compliment.

"I thought you said you were bored…I didn't think you'd bring reinforcements." He mumbled looking for his next move.

"Lyra is rubbish at chess…" Said Sarah walking up to them.

"Bishop to d2…check!" Said Sarah smirking as Dumbledore looked at her in surprise. His piece had just checked theirs. Minerva shot a look at Sarah.

"Two more moves Professor Dumbledore and we can win this…" said Sarah excitedly. Minerva eyed her great niece with an impressed look.

"Queen to f1" Lyra said stupidly. Minerva shook her head in her hands. For someone so sharp, strategy in chess was clearly wasted on the woman.

"Oooo…not a smart move…" said Sarah leaning over Dumbledore's shoulder. Lyra looked at her proudly, Sarah muttered the next move into his ear, he nodded. It straight away killed their queen and checkmated them instantly.

"Impressive…" Dumbledore said smiling happily.

"All in a day's work for the AIMS Wizards Chess Team Captain." Said Sarah bowing gently.

"Well…that was probably the fourth time…I've won against Minerva…so I am grateful to your help, Ms. Lincolns."

"Out of 50!" Minerva snapped cuttingly.

"Out of 50…" Dumbledore repeated bowing his head with a smirk on his face. She shook her head reprehensively at him.

"This was fun, but I have to get class…" Said Minerva looking at Lyra, who smiled and nodded in thanks. Minerva quickly made her way out. Dumbledore bowed his head to the AIMS champion and mentor before leaving as well.

"Where have you been all these days?" Lyra asked her niece. Sarah finally returned to Earth after her small victory.

"Scared…to show my face…" Sarah muttered as she placed the container of the healing salve on the bedside table.

"Why?" Lyra asked frowning.

"You…almost died, Aunt Lyra…because of me…and…maybe…maybe Dad is right…maybe eternal glory and adventure is not for the Lincolns!" rambled Sarah.

"Sarah…you really think I'd blame you for this?" Lyra asked in surprise. Sarah looked guiltily at her.

"Well, I don't!"

"Yes, but I blame myself…ok! If anything, would have happened to you...if you would have died…I'd never be able to forgive myself…I love you! Very much! Even if you sent me Troll Bogeys for my seventeenth birthday, even if you didn't show up for my birthday party…even if you…"

"I know you love me…Sarah…but…you know why I am here, don't you…?" Lyra cut her off smirking at her. Sarah looked at her aunt with tears in her eyes.

"Sarah…look at me!" Lyra said as her niece looked up at her.

"No…force on Earth, could pull me away from being by your side through this tournament. Nothing! I am here, only for you, not for anyone else. And if that means that I have to die for you, then so be it, Sarah. I'd do it…without so much as a second thought. You have no idea how special you are!"

"I'm…not that special…I should have just listened to my parents…kept my head down and gone through this year peacefully…it would have been better for all of us!"

"Don't do that…don't sell yourself short, Sarah. You are incredibly talented…you just beat Minerva at chess…your charm work is phenomenal…you think the Goblet of Fire picked you by fluke? No, it understood that amongst all the contenders…you were the one with most courage, heart and potential to represent AIMS. You are not the champion because of random selection. You are the champion…because you deserve the title! Whatever the circumstances may be, Sarah. You took them on head first, better wizards and witches would have run away…but you're here…it just goes to show how truly special you are!" Said Lyra wiping her niece's tears away.

"You're just saying that, because you're my aunt." Said Sarah weakly.

"I say this…because…I want to remind you, that you aren't just some average AIMS student…you're a brilliant witch, Sarah. You think someone else would have been able to get Tessra Jones to notice them? The way you planned my involvement is proof of your brilliant mind. And if you want more proof of your quick thinking. May I remind you…who was the one who shot water into that Dragon's eye? That was genius too! That Dragon swallowing me whole, wasn't your fault, Sarah…no one blames you…least of all me!" said Lyra pulling her niece into a tight hug.

"I know…but I'm…still sorry."

"Stop saying you're sorry, Sarah. I risk my life every day, for people I don't even know. You think, I'd give a second thought before doing this for you? I FUCKING LOVE YOU KID! I'D DIE FOR YOU…yesterday, today, everyday…you name it!"

"Thank…you…for sticking through this…absolute complete shit storm I've managed to produce." Sarah sighed. Lyra shook her head.

"Sarah. Life is shitty. It's one disgustingly shitty journey all of us have to endure. But in our crappy existence our choices are what make us golden. Life is going to shove you, push you, throw you around, but you've got to keep fighting it, Sarah. You've got to be stronger than this. Grab life by the fucking balls and show it who's boss! Our destinies are made for us…we are not made for our destinies!" Said Lyra going into one of her bizarre and cryptic rants.

"Want to know the best part though, kid?" Lyra added.

"You don't have to do this alone. You'll always find someone in an equally shitty position…squatting over some problem or the other trying to push it out of their butts! Because life is shit…but not when you've got someone to shovel it away with!"

"Merlin! I get it…you don't have to be so graphic!" Sarah said laughing. Lyra looked lovingly at her niece.

"I know you're a brilliant witch…that's why I push you. I want you to be your best…and Sarah…you are always going to be my best little witch! I have no doubts about you! Not a single one!"

Sarah smiled at her aunt and her bout of kindness. She began feeling a little better about their situation.

"So, tell me…have you figured out the clue yet?" Lyra asked. Sarah nodded.

"I have…it was rather obvious to be honest…" Said Sarah shrugging.

"Really? How'd you figure it out?"

"I took a bath…"

"You…took a bath?"

"Well…you see when you open the golden egg, it screeches horribly, as if someone's dying! So, I thought about the mechanics of it, and the most obvious thing stuck out. An egg…any egg…biologically speaking, has three main components, right? The shell…the yolk…and the albumen…which I recently learnt is what the white is called. This egg was missing albumen…and albumen is basically just…"

"Water!" Exclaimed Lyra in utter surprise. This 17-year-old had figured all of it out on her own.

"You beautiful, beautiful, genius!" Said Lyra smirking, shaking her niece's head and kissing it hard. Sarah laughed as she narrated the message that the egg had revealed.

"I have a feeling that the second task has something to do with spending a lot of time underwater." Said Sarah intelligently. The two sat there on the bed in silent contemplation.

"I need to get to my defence class…Moody makes us duel each other, if we're late. He's like the weirdest teacher this place has…" Said Sarah as she stood.

"Also, just so you know…we got first place, in the task. 47 points!" Said Sarah as Lyra clapped and Sarah bowed proudly. Both laughed merrily.

Bidding her niece goodbye, she laid back on her pillows and continued to think of what Sarah had just mentioned.

Sarah packed her bag after the double Defence class. She was really happy that she'd spoken to her aunt and could finally enjoy a few moments of peace without having to worry about anything else. The next task was months away, once Lyra recovered, they could work on their strategy.

"Hey…need an escort to dinner?" Zeus said walking towards her. Sarah smiled at him.

"Sure…I'm headed that way…" she replied shrugging. They began walking to the great hall.

"Did…you…uh…did Professor Snape, give you that container of healing salve?" Zeus asked, Sarah nodded.

"He did…how'd you know about that though?" She wondered.

"I…I…knew you hadn't met your aunt…so I just thought…that maybe you'd want an excuse to go see her." Offered Zeus.

"I should have known! Snape doesn't seem like the type to have bothered." Said Sarah shaking her head.

"I'm…uh…sorry, I didn't mean to pry or anything…just thought you seemed a little upset about…you know…her almost dying."

"I was. But I'm really glad, I met her. I do love her very much…"

"You're a really nice guy, Zeus…but…can I ask why? I mean…we are on opposing teams…why do you keep helping me?" Sarah wondered, what was his motive?

Zeus looked like he had been put on the spot. However, Zeus Shorthorn was not a coward. He looked at her with a charming smile.

"I…like you…Sarah…" He said waiting for her reaction. Sarah stopped walking to look at him.

"I'm…sorry…what?"

"Yeah…uh…I think you're really cool!"

"I'm…not…I'm not cool!"

"Well…to me, you are…especially, the way you worked on those charms with that Dragon…or that time you stood up for Potter against Malfoy…I think that was pretty badass…"

"Stopping a bunch of 14-year-olds from duelling, is hardly badass, Zeus…"

"Yeah, well…I think it is…" said Zeus smiling at her. Sarah blushed deeply.

"I…was wondering…if you'd want to…go get some Butterbeer, with me this week?" He asked as Sarah smiled at him, a blush creeped up to her neck.

"I…would like that." Said Sarah shyly.

They parted ways in the great hall to go sit at their respective tables. Through dinner, they kept catching each other's eyes. Not wanting to put a dampener on their bubbling feelings, Zeus offered to take her to the astronomy tower. She had spoken to him about it, on one of their walks to class. Sarah hadn't realised, but he used to walk her everywhere! She had just assumed that since they shared classes, he was being nice. Now, she knew why exactly, and she wasn't complaining. He asked her to meet him outside the great hall for their trip to the astronomy tower, the next night.

Sarah carried a heavy jacket that day to dinner. Dennis cribbed about how it wasn't even as cold as Boston, but Amanda shushed him and told him why. Dennis then smirked at his friend making lewd kissing gestures, the girls giggled and asked him to stop being childish.

"Ready?" Zeus asked Sarah outside the great hall. She nodded.

"Won't we get into trouble?" Sarah asked as he held her hand and led her up the many moving staircases.

"You're the AIMS head girl and I'm the Hogwarts head boy. I think that should count for something." He replied winking at her. She pursed her lips into a smile and followed him.

They continued their journey; he asked her about her ambitions after school and it turned out that they were both interested in becoming healers after their seventh year. Zeus was more inclined towards the potions and antidotes stream of magical healing, while Sarah wanted to focus on practical magical medicine.

Once they were up on the deserted tower, Sarah walked towards the edge of the observatory.

"This is beautiful, Zeus!" She said looking at the stars in wonder.

"How many dates have you brought up here before?" Sarah asked teasing him.

"Just one…and she's right in front of me." He replied smoothly. Sarah looked away from the stars to look at him.

"I…also got you this…" He said taking out a ward of parchment from his pocket and transfiguring it into a bunch of tulips.

"You're really smooth…I've got to say…I'm impressed." Said Sarah bashfully as she accepted his gift.

"I just thought you might…like them." He said putting his wand back into his cloak.

"They're beautiful…Zeus…thank you!" She replied, she then placed a small kiss on his lips.

Zeus blushed, but gave in and kissed her back. He pulled her back to him and the light kiss had clearly turned into a long make out session filled with teenage hormones controlling their minds.

A good hour later, they now lay on the ground over Sarah's giant warm cloak, nestled against each other looking up at the stars. Sarah pointed out the constellations to him.

"My grandpa's a magizoologist…he was very keen on the stars…a lot of beasts function as per their movements…"

"Like centaurs…?"

"Not just centaurs…America is filled with so many beasts, you probably haven't even heard off!"

"He's the one who taught all of us star-gazing. Although, I don't think neither my dad or Lyra, or me for that matter, were truly interested in it. But that's grandpa…he loves to pass titbits of knowledge onto us."

"Your family…must be really tight with each other…seeing as your aunt literally left her life behind to be here!" Blurted Zeus.

"Well…my grandmom's the glue…she's the one forcing all of us together most of the time. Her classic excuse is Christmas…missing her Christmas get-togethers is like a crime for her, the entire family has to be there! She's really as motherly as mothers can get. Then there's my dad, and Lyra…who are inseparable…but completely the opposite of each other. He's the responsible grown-up…and she's the reckless rebel…but they love each other, like I've never seen siblings love each other this much! My dad says it's because he kept wishing for a sibling and Lyra just happened to show up!"

"What'd you mean show up?"

"Well…Lyra's…adopted…but we aren't allowed to talk about it. Not after, the chaos she caused in the family about it. I wasn't born when it happened…and no one tells kids anything anyway!"

Zeus wanted to press but she picked up from where she left off.

"Then there's my mom of course…Lyra and she were best friends in school…that's how my dad and she first met. Mom's last living family member died, when I was pretty young…so she's sort of only ever told me stories about them. Mom's pretty cool too, you know…definitely the cooler parent of the two…just dialled it back after I was born…or so Lyra says. And then there's, Athena…we love her…even though, she keeps pretending to be a stick-in-the-mud. We know she loves us just as fiercely. And of course, there's Grandma M…my great grandmother…I…no one really likes her, you know…because she's got these really old ideas of how the world should work. But I guess, we don't have to see her a lot, so we kind of tolerate her."

"What about your family?" Asked Sarah as Zeus's smile disappeared. He grew extremely silent.

Sarah understood, that perhaps, she had hit a nerve with him.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me, if you don't want to. I…sometimes forget not all families are like mine…" She added apologetically.

Zeus shook his head and turned to look at her. She looked really apologetic about the fact that she had unknowingly struck a wrong chord.

"My family…isn't like yours, Sarah. I…don't…exactly…have a family anymore…"

"Oh Zeus! I'm so sorry…"

"No…no…they aren't dead. Although, sometimes, I wish they were. Them and their puritan beliefs. You see Sarah, my parents…well…they come from a really old line of purebloods. They obviously see themselves as superior…but I…don't share their beliefs. Something…happened in my fifth year at Hogwarts…" He began as Sarah looked at him listening carefully.

"My parents believed that…the Dark Lord…You-Know-Who…was to return that year…and they proclaimed that once he was back, I was to take the mark. I wasn't very keen on it. However, my father was adamant about it. So…I left home…" said Zeus. Sarah frowned.

"What do you mean you left home?"

"I…ran away…became a ward of Hogwarts…"

"So…you live at Hogwarts during the summers?"

"Uh…no…not exactly…" Zeus said sounding unsure as to whether he should go on. But he did anyway.

"I live with Professor Snape."

"WHAT?!"

"Uh…yeah…that's why he's agreed to be my mentor. I never planned on him getting involved in this, but I wanted to win this tournament to push my resume with the hospital. Which is why, the great display of potions during the first task as well."

"Why do you live with him though? He's horrible!"

"Well, like I said earlier…I ran away from home. Last year…was tough for me, Sarah. Please don't think harshly of me…but I tried to jump off this very tower…"

"Zeus…" Sarah whispered horrified.

"I was shunned by my housemates, shunned by my family, friends…everyone who I held close, suddenly turned their back on me. And I decided that if they didn't want me…perhaps, there was no point in my existence. However, Professor Snape, held me back that night. He spoke to me like he's never spoken to anyone before. And…I…just went home with him that summer. He wrote me a letter at the end of the year and asked me to reach an address from the station…so that's what I did."

"So…you just live with him…in his house?" Sarah wondered.

"He's actually a really great housemate…exceptionally clean…has an insane library…and Sarah if you saw his lab at home…it's a potioneer's dream come true!"

Sarah chuckled a little.

"He's actually a really great guy…a thousand times more pleasant than he portrays himself to be. I don't know why though…" said Zeus speculating a little.

Sarah hugged him tightly. She felt horrid for him. All she wanted to do was comfort him and that's what she did.

The following week, they spent all their time together. They seemed to really have a lot in common. Soon a week progressed to many more, and it seemed like they knew everything about each other.

AN/- A lot more is to come. This is just the beginning. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Please do leave a review, share your thoughts. Let me know your theories, if any! Thanks!