As Harry took a step forwards, steel chains appeared to barricade the door.
''Can Master Harry please go back to his room?'' Doodey pleaded. He was one of the many House Elves in the manor. ''Mistress won't be happy if she finds out that Master Harry was trying to get into her study!
''Only if she finds out,'' Harry turned his head, and squinted at the creature ''You're not going to tell her, are you?''
''I'm sorry Master Harry. But Doody will have no choice! Mistress said no one but her can enter!''
''If I was Lyra I bet you'd let me in,'' Harry muttered.
''Miss Lyra isn't allowed in there either!''
''I just want to see what's in there,'' Harry folded his arms. ''Mom doesn't let anyone in her study, so maybe she's keeping some cool secrety things in there.''
''Master Harry, please no!'' Doody lifted a fist into the air and brought it down with an audible crack. ''I'm sorry, Master Harry! But the Mistress told me no one can enter but her! I don't want to be a bad elf, but Mistress told me no one can enter!''
Doody hit himself again, but before the House Elf could do it for a third time, Harry grabbed him by the arms. ''Cut that out. Stop hitting yourself! I won't try to get in, okay?''
''Master Harry won't try to get in again?'' Doody asked with a sniff.
''Yeah, I won't. And even if I wanted to, how am I meant to get in? Moms barred it with magic.''
''Thank you, Master Harry! You've made Doody a happy Elf!''
Barley moving an inch, Harry dropped his hands into his pockets and watched as Doody started to walk away from the door.
''Master Harry?''
''Yeah, I'm coming.''
However, Harry didn't follow Doody downstairs. Instead, he slipped into his room and waited for a few minutes. He walked outside, crept over to the room next to his, and knocked. ''Lyra, are you in there?''
After receiving no answer, Harry opened the door very slightly and tiptoed inside. He gave the room a once over, before he went down on his stomach, and pulled out a large, silky cloak from under her bed.
Harry smirked and started to wrap it around him, but as he did Lyra could be seen coming through the front fields.
Go away, Lyra. Harry spun around, turning to the mirror as the Cloak swallowed him whole, but it just reflected an empty room.
Harry quickly rushed out of the room and closed the door behind him as quickly and as quietly as he could.
It would be stupid to make any more noise, so Harry tried not to even breathe. But nobody walked up those stairs. Not Lily or Lyra.
Thank Merlin. Harry thought. He walked over to the door, and this time steel chains didn't surround it. His hand stayed on the nob for a few seconds, before he finally walked into the room that he had only dreamed about.
It was absolutely massive, with walls that were painted a rich black, unlike the white and blues of most of the manor. He saw a desk. Pictures of lions, who barred their teeth and growled at him. At least a dozen bookshelves on the second and third levels. Though the thing that had really caught his eye was a golden chest. He went over to it and looked inside. He saw goblets and mirrors that reflected strange images. Journals written in strange languages. However, the only thing he picked out, was a locket, with a picture inside.
Harry saw a girl who was his age. His mother, he thought, as he saw her emerald eyes and long red hair. There was a boy next to her. At first, he thought it was his father, but that couldn't be it. His hair was a shade darker than what he had seen of his father in other pictures, longer too. His father didn't have a large, crooked nose either.
As Harry looked at it further, his mother's voice suddenly appeared.
''We can talk in my study,'' Lily said. ''Lyra or the House Elves won't disturb us there.''
He threw the locket back into the chest and slammed it shut. Lily had already opened the door and taken her seat, opposite Dumbledore.
Harry froze and did not dare move. He was just behind the desk, where Lily sat.
They can't see you, Harry, Harry thought. Just don't move and they won't hear you either.
''Is there a reason you dropped in without telling me beforehand?'' Lily prodded.
''Ah, does there have to be a reason to visit an old student?'' Dumbledore asked, smiling lightly.
''Yes.'' Lily narrowed her eyes. ''There does.''
Dumbledore's smile did not falter. ''Your son has recently turned 11, has he not? I have not seen him in some years, but I still assume he will be starting Hogwarts like his parents and sister before him.''
''You came a hundred miles to ask that?''
''I'm afraid not. There was more I came for, but I thought it would be a good starter.''
''I considered it,'' Lily admitted. ''He has told me he wants to go, although I am considering not letting him. It would be easier to keep an eye on him that way.''
Harry scowled at Lily through the cloak. You never said that.
''I didn't realize he was such a troublemaker.''
''It's not that, or at least not solely the reason,'' Lily said coolly. ''He just can not, ever, learn of you know what.''
Harry frowned and thought. Of what? He looked back at Dumbledore, who for the first time since entering the room, was no longer smiling.
''I understand your feelings, Lily,'' Dumbledore said softly. ''But one day he will learn who his real father is.''
Yeah, it's James Potter! Harry almost said. What are they talking about?
''He won't,'' Lily murmured. ''I know there are a select few at Hogwarts who know the truth.''
''They went under vow to never tell a soul.
''Have they?'' Lily asked. ''That may be the case, but we both know there are ways around unbreakable vows.''
''Dark ways, indeed. But I trust them with my life.''
Lily's emerald eyes flashed darkly
''Even Severus?''
Before Dumbledore could respond, the three of them heard Lyra yell. ''Harry, where are you? You better come out now!''
''I wonder what could be going on.''
Lily didn't sound amused. ''Give me a moment. I won't be long.''
Harry followed Lily, as she went over to the door to open it. He tried to get past his mother, but her body blocked the way
''What is going on here?'' Lily demanded.
''My Invisibility cloak is gone,'' Lyra growled. ''Harry stole it.''
Lily sighed. ''Do you have any proof that it was him?''
''Who else would have done it? He always steals my things.''
Lily craned her head around. ''I'm sorry, Albus. I won't be long.''
''It's no problem.''
Lily stepped out into the corridor, closing the door on her way out.
Harry looked at the Headmaster. The Headmaster looked at him back. Can he see me? And a moment later Dumbledore looked away.
Harry stared at the door, as Lyra and Lily bickered. Why did I have to be so stupid? And then his mother yelled. ''Accio: Invisibility Cloak!''
His fingers dug into the Invisibility Cloak, but he could do nothing to stop it from pulling away and vanishing into thin air.
''Mr. Potter, I wasn't aware that there were actually three of us in here.''
''Oh.''
Lily came stomping back into the room, her eyes dark and cold.
''What did I say about trying to get into my study? I told you to never even attempt it.''
''I told you it was him!''
''Shut up, Lyra!''
''I will deal with you later.'' Lily waved her wand, and the door started to close.
''Busted.'' Was the last thing Lyra said, before it slammed shut.
''Idiot,'' Harry grumbled, but as he looked up to his mother, all thoughts of his sister faded.
''Answer the question,'' Lily murmured coldly. ''Why are you in my study.''
''So what shouldn't I ever learn of?''
''What did you say?'' Lily's voice was barely a whisper.
''You heard me. Come on, tell me. I already know what you two were talking about.''
One of Lily's eyes drifted over to Dumbledore, while the other one stayed on him.
''I'm sorry for this interruption, but could you excuse us for a moment?''
''There's no need to apologize Lily. It really was wonderful seeing you after so long.''
When the Headmaster left, she waved her wand and a dozen rusty chains covered the door.
When all that was done, Lily turned back to him and closed in on him, like some sort of angry serpent.
''Why were you spying on us?''
''I wasn't spying on anybody.''
''Do you expect me to believe that, Harry? You snuck into my study when I gave you clear instructions not to.''
''I wasn't spying on anybody!'' Harry shouted. ''I didn't even know you were going to come in. If I did, I wouldn't have tried it.''
Lily folded her arms.
''I was just bored and curious. This is the only room we're not allowed in, so I, er, wanted to have a little look.''
''Because you were bored?'' Lily drawled.
''What were you talking about anyway?'' Harry asked again.
''That is none of your concern.''
''Yeah, it is.'' He said sharply. ''You were talking about me. What do you mean I must never find out? And learning about my dad. I know who my dad is. James Potter.'' He stopped for a moment. ''Or isn't he?''
There was a long, aching silence.
''We are not talking about this.''
''Who is it then?'' He asked. ''If it's not-''
''I said we are not talking about this,'' Lily hissed, taking a step closer. ''Go to your room.''
''No, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me.''
Lily took a long inhale.
''You are just making things worse than they already are. You will not be leaving your room until I say so.''
''You can't make me do anything. Who is it!''
''You are pushing my patients. I said we are not talking about this, and that is final. If you continue to argue with me, then I will not even let you get your wand.''
''You can't do that!'' Harry yelled. ''You can't treat me like a squib!''
''I can and I will,'' Lily said coldly. ''We are not talking about this, and that is final.''
''Fine,'' Harry said sourly. On his way out of the room, he glared at the table, before it struck the wall and splintered apart.
Harry swung his door open and toppled onto his bed, laying atop golden silks.
Once the door opened the words, ''What do you want?'' Came out.
''You're already in enough trouble as it is. Watch your tone.''
''Or what? I don't need you to get my wand.''
Lily slammed the door shut.
''But I can stop you from going to Hogwarts.''
''I'm going.'' Harry persisted, now sitting up on his bed.
''Only if I decide to. You need my permission.''
He sprung to his feet. ''If Lyra can go, why can't I?'' And then his voice turned mocking. ''Oh wait, I'm not the Girl Who Lived who saved us all.''
Lily narrowed her eyes.
''Okay, if not Hogwarts where? Dumstrang? Ilvermorny?''
Lily raised an eyebrow. ''When did I say you were going anywhere this September?''
''Are you serious?'' Harry hissed. ''I can't just stay here. I at least need to go somewhere.''
''School isn't the only place where you can get your education,'' Lily said. ''We could always hire tutors.''
''No,'' Harry said, shaking his head. ''You can't…. Do this. I'm sorry, okay.''
''You aren't sorry,'' Lily said. ''You are only saying that because you found that you don't like the consequences.''
''Yeah, you're right,'' Harry snapped. ''I'm not sorry because I didn't do anything wrong.''
Lily shook her head slowly. ''You are just proving my point. Good night, Harry.'' She turned away and took hold of the doorknob. ''And remember, do not leave your room until I tell you to.''
''Or what?''
She did not face him. ''Then you will just have dug yourself a deeper hole. Trust me, Harry, things can get far worse.''
Harry swallowed, and had to stop himself from asking, like what?
As Lily exited the room, he lay on his bed and glared up at the ceiling. If I was Lyra, none of this would have happened. He got up and went over to the door, twisting the doorknob, but he found that it was locked. Do you really think this could stop me? Nonetheless, he did not try to open it.
After almost an hour of doing absolutely nothing in his room, a knock thundered against his balcony door. Harry scowled at Lyra once, before looking away. That did nothing to deter her.
''I know you can hear me.'' Lyra sung. ''I heard what you did.''
Harry sighed. He opened the balcony door. ''What do you want?''
''Heard you got grounded for the next century.'' Lyra strolled into his room. ''Nice going, little brother. ''
''Get out.''
Lyra's emerald eyes glittered. ''And If I don't?''
''Then I'll make you get out.''
Lyra cocked her head back and laughed. ''And how are you planning to do that? You don't even have a wand.''
''What do you want Lyra?'' Harry demanded for the second time.
''Oh, nothing. Have fun with staying home for the next seven years.''
Harry shoved her. Lyra wrapped an arm around his neck and put him into a headlock.
''Let me go!'' He yelled.
Her hold around Harry tightened before she finally let him go.
''Push me again and I might actually curse you, kay?''
''Just get out.''
''Only if you say please.''
Harry's eyes burnt into his sister. ''I said get out.''
His bed rose from the ground, the golden sheets slipping off.
''Why don't you put that thing down?'' Lyra asked, her hands in her pockets. ''We both know you aren't going to do anything.''
''Then get out.''
Lyra sighed. ''Don't say I didn't warn you.'' She pointed her wand at the bed, hissed, and it fell to the ground. ''Well, since I'm so nice I'll leave you alone.'' Lyra walked out to the balcony, and the last thing his sister said before vanishing was, ''There are some tissues in the bathroom, just in case you need them.''
''Jerk.''
Harry walked out to the balcony. He stared into their garden while taking a tight hold around the rails. Stupid mom. Stupid Lyra. Can't leave, can I?
They were five stories high, so the idea of jumping faded almost immediately.
He went back inside and made a beeline for his door. He stared down at the door handle, concreted, followed by a click. He grabbed it, and unlike earlier it was open
Perhaps it wasn't the smartest plan. If his mother caught him, he wasn't sure what would happen. Nonetheless, he searched the corridor, poking his head out from the door. It was empty. He snuck out. He looked down the spiraling staircase, and once again he crept down. After climbing down two more floors, the sound of someone eating echoed in the halls.
Harry backed up until he couldn't any longer. He turned right and crouched under the staircase. She didn't see you. After a minute or so, and after reassuring himself, he finally peaked around the corner.
Harry let out a sigh. Bent down onto two knees, and scurried down the halls, but stopped just in front of the living room. The door was open. Inside, Lyra had her back to him. He took two long steps before bolting for the door.
Even as Harry left through the tall, steel gates, he kept on walking as fast as he could. Though before long, his sister called for him ''Hey, where do you think you're going!''
Harry ran and did not look behind him as he passed by the other manors in Vermillion Lane, but she was still on his tail.
''I said where are you going!'' Lyra yelled. ''If you don't stop I'll just use my wand.''
Harry ducked as he heard that. He turned sporadically. A left. A right. He spilled into the woods. Ran in front of the tallest and biggest trees in the vicinity. Lyra was demanding him to stop, but strangely, after a while that faded.
After the final stretches of trees could be seen, Harry stopped to catch his breath.
''Hey.'' Lyra materialized out of thin air. ''Try to run and I'll curse you. I mean it this time.
Harry took a step, and an arrow flew by him.
''I mean it. Don't try it.''
He did not try to run. At least not for the moment.
''You know if mom catches you, you're pretty much dead.''
''Maybe.'' He agreed slowly. ''You're going to tell her, aren't you?''
''It would probably be pretty funny,'' Lyra said. ''Where were you even going?''
''Why would I tell you?'' Harry asked angrily.
''Look who's getting defensive. So what, you're planning on living in the forests now?''
He shrugged. ''Maybe.''
Lyra pulled a face. ''Really? Well, have fun starving to death.''
Harry scowled up at Lyra. ''I can get food.''
Lyra looked at him one moment, before erupting into laughter. ''Right. You've probably never even made a sandwich without the House Elves' help before.''
''Shut up,'' Harry muttered. ''I didn't mean what I said. I'm just staying out here for a while.''
''Hm, I wonder if it's before or after Mom finds out.''
He didn't give Lyra an answer.
''Knowing you it's probably after, right?'
Harry did not deny it.
''Merlin, you just love pissing her off, don't you? If I didn't know any better I would've said you want to get into even more trouble.''
''What is she going to do?'' Harry asked sourly. ''I'm not allowed to get my wand. I'm grounded. I'm not going to school this September. Not just Hogwarts, but anywhere.''
''I don't know, maybe she'll just mean it this time.''
Harry stared at Lyra. ''What?''
''What, you thought she was being serious?'' Lyra asked in a, ''Are you stupid tone of voice.'' ''Well, she might be. But if I had to bet I'd say she only said that because you ticked her off.''
''Why are you telling me that?'' Harry asked. ''Why are you even trying to get me to come back.''
''I'm not, but okay,'' Lyra said. ''I don't really care if you do or not. If you want to annoy Mom even more, then go ahead.''
Harry frowned. ''I said I'd come back.''
Lyra started walking. ''Well, I'm out of here.'' She then added. ''You can come if you want.''
Harry hesitated, before falling a comfortable distance behind her. They did not get far before she stopped in her tracks
''Oh, wait. You stole my Invisibility cloak, didn't you?''
Harry stopped too.
''Why?''
Lyra regarded him silently.
''Why are you looking at me like that?'' Harry asked and did not dare look away from his sister.
''You stole my invisibility cloak,'' Lyra said, pulling her wand out. ''You snuck into my room, and stole it.''
His eyes trailed up her wand. ''Lyra.''
The next thing Harry knew, he was upside down, hanging from a tree with ropes tightening around him.
''Lyra!,'' He struggled against the ropes. ''Let me down!''
Lyra smirked up at him. ''I'm good.''
''Lyra.'' Harry snapped. ''So this is why you followed me? To do this!''
''Well, no,'' Lyra said. ''I wasn't actually going to do this, but I remembered you put your grimy little hands on my cloak. I can't just do nothing when I have an opportunity like this.''
''And I thought you were okay for a minute. Of course, you aren't.''
Lyra pulled an expression he'd never seen on her before that smug grin of hers returned. ''Oh no, you don't think I'm okay? I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.'' She planted her hands on her hips. ''Don't worry, I'm not actually going to hurt you. I'm just going to… I don't know, keep you here until the morning.''
Harry's eyes widened. ''I said let me go.'' They glittered darkly, and the rope started to swing.
''Okay, what are you doing? Stop trying to get free. Not that it will work, but if it does it'll hurt.''
''Then let me go.'' Harry hissed. The rope swung him across the cliff, his stomach curling.
''Okay, seriously,'' Lyra said urgently, as Harry looked down the gap. All the conceit faded from her voice. ''Cut that out. You're going to fall!.''
''I'm not going to fall!'' He yelled. ''Just let me down!''
Lyra pointed her wand in the air.
''Lyra.'' Harry hissed. ''Hurry up.''
''Give me a minute!'' Lyra told him. ''It's kind of hard because you're moving all around the place! Try and stop that!''
''I can't!'' Harry yelled desperately. ''Just let me down!''
''Alright, this should stop it!'' Lyra's wand flicked in the air sporadically. ''Motus subsisto!'' A Green flash of light shot past him.
''I thought you said that was going to stop it!
The rope started to tear.
''I told you it's hard because you're moving around like that!''
''I told you I can't stop it! I'm going to fall!''
''Stop freaking out, you're not going to fall!''
The rope creaked.
''Just do anything!'' Harry demanded. ''I don't care if it's something dangerous, just do it!''
The rope snapped, and he was falling.
''Harry!''
Harry grabbed hold of a hollow part of the cliff.
''Harry!'' Lyra called. ''Just hold on!''
''I can't!'' Three fingers slipped. 'Just-''
''Yes, you can!'' Another three fingers slipped. ''When you see the little cube just grab it, it will teleport you up here, and you'll be fine. Just do that and we can go back home.
Back home? Harry thought, and all of his fingers slipped.
''Harry!''
Harry fell, and this time his burning fingers had nothing else to hold on to. He stared upwards and found that he could only see Lyra as a faint figure like she wasn't there.
I don't want to die, Harry thought, as his eyes closed. What did I do?
