Chapter 20
The Rescue
Lyra stepped into her apartment and headed straight for a shower. She scrubbed the day off her and washed her face thoroughly, as the day's events rushed through her head. She knew, she needed to start putting up stronger wards on her doors and make sure, she was more alert.
She stepped out of the shower and changed into some comfortable muggle clothes. She pulled on some jeans and a loose white shirt along with a light denim jacket. She walked towards the fridge and grabbed yesterday's leftover pasta. She then rummaged around for her small hipflask, tapping it with her wand to refill her stock.
She then twisted her ring and opened up an elemental fire portal. Calling out for Tessra Jones to answer. Tessra came through, after a minute.
"You look terrible!" Tessra said worriedly looking at Lyra.
"I've had a terrible day…someone spat on me, can you believe it? And I couldn't do shit about it! if I was in America…I'd have at least hexed the bastard!" Snapped Lyra as she then continued to tell Tessra about Aries Shorthorn and what Sarah had been doing.
"Your niece seems to be rather a handful." Tessra chuckled, as Lyra shook her head derisively. Tessra then, got down to business.
"There have been talks, within the 27 for a need to strengthen America's defences. As you know, Lyra, the coven is here to protect and defend the country from dark elements. The return of Voldemort, in England, is alarming us. We are receiving reports every day, of a possible uprising that he is trying to stir again in America. However slow, it is happening. Now, last time he was in power, we managed to keep his influences at bay, and we plan to do so, this time as well. We've convinced the president, to reach out to the British Prime Minister...lend support to cleanse this darkness at its root. However, as you can tell, it was a futile exercise. Our aim, is to keep these elements out of our systems and for that reason. The 27 have decided, that we will be providing support to groups ready to fight this madness, across Europe." Tessra stated seriously.
"And the president agrees? The coven doesn't step into politics, we never have. So why now?" Lyra asked carefully as Tessra shot her a warning look.
"We do not answer to MACUSA. Their laws, do not apply to us, Lyra. They haven't for over a century. Half the time, these so-called presidents, are just puppets looking for validation from their vote banks. I am not saying Reggie is like that. He's proved to be an exemplary politician. Forces are at play to help him convince the Prime Minister to come around, sooner or later. However, we cannot wait on this man to see sense." Commented Tessra.
"What is expected of me?" Lyra asked carefully. Knowing well, that if Tessra had briefed her about this, there was something larger at play.
"You will be our source of information…and if possible…an emissary from our side. I need you, to get me details, of the Dark Lord's movements. I know he's keeping a low profile, gathering his followers. But, if we don't act now and deny the inevitable like the British Ministry, the world will soon head towards dire circumstances. I refuse to have any American wizards or witches die, because the British were too scared to work proactively to stop this lunatic!" Tessra said firmly.
"This is not going to be easy, Tess…" Said Lyra considering the proposition as she ran a hand through her open hair.
"I know, but when has steering the course of the world, towards what is good, ever been, my dear? This is what the Book of Destiny, has set out for you. This is the need of the hour. Your life is leading you up to this. None of us, can control the course of our destiny." Tessra spoke knowledgably.
"I don't deny this. But everyone else, seems to at least be getting the choice!" Lyra said, disheartened by what Tessra had said. She knew, she was right.
"I am assuming, you've already done enough ground work to give me a direction." Lyra added lighting a cigarette with a flame dancing on her finger.
"In England's last war, against Voldemort, there was a large group of brave witches and wizards who stood tall against him. They fought tooth and nail, Lyra. There is word of this group re-building. I have been in touch with their leader and will be explaining your involvement. They call themselves, the Order of the Phoenix. It's being spear-headed by…" Tessra spoke, but was cut-short by an urgent pounding on the door.
Lyra stood quickly. She stubbed the half-smoked cigarette, her wand instantly slipped into her hand.
"We shall speak again soon. Until then..." Tessra bowed her head and disappeared from the fire, closing the portal behind her.
Lyra stared at the door apprehensively. The pounding did not stop. Lyra stood, holding her wand up in defence. She had a feeling the door, was going to be blown off its hinges, any minute now. Any minute now, there would be a hoard of masked intruders, trying to get her to pay for what had transpired this afternoon.
Lyra was ready though. Call it experience, or instinct, she knew what she had to do. However, Burst, had other ideas. Burst flew towards the door and landed at the bottom. She rubbed her head against it. This wasn't an action, Lyra, had expected. This meant, whoever was on the other side, was someone Burst already knew, and possibly…liked. And Burst, wasn't very fond of many people.
Lyra walked carefully towards the door. The pounding grew softer, as if the person on the other end had given up. Lyra heard a body slump against the door. She heard sniffling and crying from the other side.
"Lyra…are you there?"
Came a small helpless voice, from the other side that Lyra recognized all too well.
Lyra quickly lowered the wards and opened the door. Sarah fell flat on her back. For a few seconds, Lyra had no idea what had happened. What was Sarah doing here? Was she hurt? Or worse, was she followed?
Lyra pulled the girl up and into the house. She shut the door quickly. The wards went up again and Sarah was deposited on the couch. Burst tried to comfort her the best way she could, while Lyra brought the girl a glass of water.
"What happened?"
"Zeus…he…he…" Sarah hiccupped through her tears.
"What did he do…?!" Lyra grit her teeth.
"He hates me!" Sarah replied
"What?" Lyra raised an eyebrow at the statement.
"He hates me, Lyra!" Sarah cried.
The girl then went on to tell Lyra, how Zeus had reacted. When he found out, about Aries and what she had done.
Lyra's nostrils flared as she tried to calm herself. Her head pounded sharply. She needed to get some coffee urgently, and she knew Sarah could do with a cup too. Remembering, that there was none at home, Lyra pondered for a second. After checking her watch, she decided that it was a risk, she was willing to take. Besides, she had given some of the healers, a day off tomorrow to lay-low. Lyra picked up her jacket and her wand. She pocketed the hip flask, her glasses and a few other knick-knacks, she never ventured anywhere without.
"Come on…let's go get some air." She stated pulling Sarah up by her jacket. The girl stood and mindlessly followed her.
As they made their way onto the muggle street, Lyra didn't know, if she was thinking straight. It wasn't safe for them at the moment, to be loitering around the park so late. But the cart outside, was the only muggle still open, who sold a strong solid cup of coffee. The one that would give your brain the right kind of kick. Besides, it tasted great with some Fire Whiskey mixed in.
Lyra bought them both a cup and they settled down on an empty bench. It was secluded and Lyra felt this was as safe as it got. She had made sure, they were not followed and she handed Sarah a cup. Sarah sighed drinking deeply from it. Her tears had run dry for now and she was trying her best to calm down.
Now, Lyra wasn't the best person to give Sarah any advice on men, she knew that. Having had one long term relationship, that grew toxic beyond the point of retribution in her past, followed by a series of multiple drunken one-night stands and random hook-ups, Lyra didn't know what exactly to say.
"Men are stupid, Sarah." Lyra said awkwardly, digging her nails into her cup. She didn't want to have this conversation. It brought back terrible dark feelings, that she had suppressed deep down, with alcohol and drugs.
"Zeus isn't stupid…" Sarah said defending him. Lyra smiled gently at her. Her niece was in love, but she needed to learn that love, came with compromise, pain, and intense suffering too.
"…he's got every right, to be angry with me. I just wish he hadn't said all those things. Dad was right you know, even though I denied it at first. I did stay in London for Zeus. I stayed so that he'd have some support. He's got no one else. I just wanted him to have some happiness, Lyra, is that so bad?" Sarah asked earnestly. She was just trying to validate her feelings.
"You're internalising your guilt. Guilt that you shouldn't have, in the first place! Sarah, what you've done for Aries Shorthorn, not a lot of young healers would be able to. Hell, not even those senior healers, in that hospital...were brave enough to. Why are you defending Zeus...when he's obviously being a complete moron!" Lyra snapped at her niece. She just chuckled.
"I...I love him, Lyra. It's not an easy thing to give up on. You know that!" Sarah replied looking at her aunt, who refused to meet her gaze.
"But now, he doesn't even want to look at me. And…and…I…I…now, that I…am falling in love with London too, I don't want to leave, Lyra! Don't make me leave!" Sarah begged crest-fallen.
"I'm not going to make you leave, Sarah. It's like you said…you're old enough to make a decision for yourself, even if you need help sometimes. And you've got me for that, kid, now and always!" Lyra said draping her arm around Sarah. Lyra then pulled away and took out her hip-flask. She poured more than half of it into her cup of coffee. Sarah rolled her eyes at her aunt's antics. She really wished, she'd take better care of herself. She kept hiding behind the crutch of alcohol and cigarettes to not feel things.
"Can I come live with you, for a couple of days?" Sarah proposed gently as they took a sip of their coffees. Lyra smiled and nodded instantly. She took another quick gulp and finished her coffee. She then filled the substantial contents of her hip-flask, into the cup and covered it again.
"Lyra!" Scolded Sarah shaking her head. Lyra only wiggled her eyebrows and smirked.
Sarah frowned as she noticed dark smoke forming behind Lyra.
"Lyra!" Sarah yelled as she pointed her wand over her aunt's shoulder.
Lyra turned quickly as her own wand, slipped into her hand through her jacket sleeve. Four men, dressed in dark robes and silver masks, manifested from the smoke.
Lyra stepped in front of Sarah. She raised her wand towards these dark figures.
"What do you want?" Lyra demanded.
"Our request is simple. Come with us quietly. The Dark Lord requires your presence." Said one as they all pointed their wands at her.
"I'll come, but let the girl go." Sneered Lyra. The Death Eaters scoffed and smirked.
"You are in no position to make any requests, Lyra Marks. The Dark Lord, has asked for the both of you…you and your wretched niece!" Snarled another Death Eater.
"I don't answer to blackmail. Maybe, you should ask your Dark Lord, to write me a letter instead…seeing, he's such a fan!" Lyra snapped back. The men only grew angrier.
"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way!" He snarled back.
"Then perhaps, you should have asked nicely to begin with, ass-wipe!" Lyra snarled. Her wand moved meticulously, setting a stunner off towards the Death Eaters, it blew one off his feet.
A duel soon ensued. Four against two, as lights and sparks adorned, the otherwise dark park. It wasn't like Lyra, hadn't fought multiple people at once. She had taken on more than four, at one point. But these men, were extremely skilled. They knew, what they were doing. Soon, Lyra couldn't defend herself and Sarah at the same time. Spells were flying everywhere, some hit her, many hit them, but there were just too many of them. And every time they fell, they stood up. It was like they'd all docked up on strengthening draughts in preparation.
After a good ten minutes, Lyra had managed to put two down, with great difficulty. While defending them from the other two. But, the inevitable happened. While she fought one, the other called out to Lyra with his wand pointed at Sarah's throat.
Lyra froze, her blood ran cold. Even a spell that came towards her from the other side, was deflected with just a simple flick. Instead of the elaborate movements, she had been making minutes ago.
"Yeah…I've got you now, haven't I?! Not so smart, are you, Marks? Put your fucking wand down and walk over to me slowly, bitch!" He snarled at her. His menacing face, bleeding from the blows she had delivered. The other death eater, dashed over to his partner and stood beside him, pointing his wand limply at Lyra.
Lyra looked at them, her face bore no emotion. She simply raised her hands and slowly pushed down to place her wand on the ground.
"The fucking cup too!" He snarled.
Lyra suddenly, looked at her hand as she stood up slowly.
"May I finish it first?" She asked sarcastically. They didn't reply. Taking that as an approval, Lyra, put the cup to her mouth. Her eyes were fixed on Sarah and Sarah's were fixed onto hers. Lyra took one deep sip leaving the big sip of fire whiskey in her mouth. It began to slowly burn her mouth. She twisted her ring and threw the cup on the ground.
"Walk over here, nice and easy! Morris, get the fucking portkey ready, you idiot!" Snarled the Death Eater over to his partner.
Lyra began walking towards the duo, not breaking eye contact with her niece. She didn't know if it'd work. She'd never used her skills in legilimency to transfer a message before. She didn't even know if it was possible. Lyra didn't know what the side-effects of dark magic like that would be. But she had no choice, this was their only way out. She knew what she was about to do next. But she needed Sarah, out of the way. As soon as, she got through her niece's mind, she spoke telepathically.
"Sarah! Listen to me…"
"Lyra…what the fuck…how are you in my…in my head!"
"When I blink. RUN!"
Minerva was extremely tense, they had visited the address, but no one answered the door. Now, they stood on the street, wondering where else to look for Sarah.
Suddenly, Lupin pointed towards the sky. They saw lights, coming out of a deserted looking muggle park nearby. They dashed to the scene, knowing fully well that only a wand could produce such lights.
They reached the spot as Kingsley instructed the group to wait. They didn't want to step in and cause more chaos. Kingsley knew, that if the Death Eaters spotted them, they'd take Sarah before Lyra could do anything.
"Kingsley, she's put her wand down! We've got to do something!" Tonks hissed at the senior auror.
"What is she doing?" Remus muttered puzzled as he watched the woman finish her coffee.
"No…No…Don't walk to them!" Minerva hissed under batted breath. The group silently watched the scene unfold. Hoping, that Lyra would do anything…something…not just give up like that. Wasn't she supposed to be an astounding witch, with powers to rival Dumbledore's? Why was she giving up?!
Minerva couldn't take it anymore. She transformed into her animagus form, hoping to take the death eaters by surprise. But what happened next, made the animagus transform retrace her steps. Minerva was left gobsmacked? Horrified? Astonished? Stunned? She couldn't tell which. The others, came out of the bushes as well, their faces filled in awe, just like Minerva's.
"All she did, was twist her ring!" Kingsley voiced in surprise, looking at the sight in front of them.
Lyra walked towards the Death Eaters as a gentle breeze blew through the park.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks. Just stopped there. Staring at her niece, one single long stare. And then she blinked.
Sarah kicked the Death Eater in the shin, upon him releasing his grip, she ducked and ran, like she was instructed. A bright light engulped the park, as she shielded her eyes. Which were being blinded by the storm of fire that rushed towards were she had stood.
In the spur of a moment and through Lyra's mouth flew the alcohol. It ignited an inferno, in the shape of a huge Phoenix. The bird flapped its flaming wings threateningly, as the two Death Eaters, couldn't bear the heat. Sarah got the opportunity, to move out of the way and slide away towards her aunt. She picked up Lyra's wand. She was shocked to see, that she didn't need it. The woman was controlling, the fiendfyre with her bare hands. No, her bare hands were on fire themselves, through which she was channelling the Phoenix. The fiery bird was merciless, it flew towards the Death Eaters, who were now running away trying their best to use the portkey. Lyra had a ruthless look on her face. The flaming bird, flew through them as they caught fire, screaming in agony as the flames took over their bodies, burning them.
"Lyra…Lyra…stop!" Sarah yelled, upon hearing the men screaming in murderous pain. But Lyra did not stop. Lyra did not show mercy. Lyra wanted them to meet their maker, and by that she didn't mean, the Dark Lord.
Suddenly, the inferno Phoenix fell to the ground, crashing as its embers scattered across the stone walkway of the park and died. Sarah's attention was now pulled away from the bird and back to her aunt. Lyra stood silently still, panting as she pulled a knife out of her back and looked at it. Her ruby red blood now covered the blade. Her eyes grew large, she quickly turned to see, one of the other Death Eaters, who had regained consciousness, quickly disapparating with the other three of his members who were still alive…although, barely so. A look of pure terror was evident even through his mask.
Lyra fell to her knees as Sarah looked at her in shock, not knowing what to do. Lyra rummaged for something in her pocket, and quickly placed it in her mouth. Then her vision grew hazy and she fell to the floor and passed out.
Sarah hurriedly checked for a pulse and thankfully found one. She began to look everywhere for help. She hoped, Burst had felt her master's pain and would come to her aid, but the Phoenix was nowhere in sight.
Suddenly, Sarah noticed a small group of lit wands rushing to her as she bravely raised her own, defending her unconscious aunt and herself.
"Sarah…lower your wand." Said Minerva calmly. Sarah recognised Minerva's voice.
She finally stood up, as Kingsley gathered Lyra into his arms. In seconds, they had apparated to Grimmauld Place.
"What happened?" Snape asked urgently, as Kingsley lay an unconscious Lyra Marks down on the bed.
"She was stabbed in the back with this knife." Said Sarah quickly, showing Snape the knife.
"It's poisoned!" He said studying it. He then, hurriedly began to look for something in his satchel. He pulled out a bezoar and opened the woman's mouth. He was hit by a strong whiff of Fire Whiskey. He lifted her tongue, only to find a half-dissolved stone already under it.
He sighed in relief. Thankfully, Marks, had enough sense to place a bezoar under her tongue, before collapsing. No wonder, she wasn't dead from the poison, yet. He wondered, if she may have been through something similar before? Not many people, carried around a bezoar, or a Wiggenweld potion with them, at all times, like she did. He scoffed, she was an auror and a healer. Probably, seen much worse, if the newspapers that carried stories of her glorified achievements, were to be believed. Severus quickly administered her a blood replenishing potion, along with a drop of the draught of the living dead, so that she could rest painlessly for the night.
"She's safe. She knew, the knife was laced with poison. She's already taken a bezoar. I'll tend to her wounds. Ms. Lincolns, I'll need you to assist me. The rest of you may leave." Snape commanded. He stepped outside, instructing Sarah to undress her aunt and dress her stab wound.
Everyone apart from Minerva left the room. She just stood there and watched in shock. Sarah opened the buttons to Lyra's shirt and turned her around, unhooking her bra. She applied a healing salve and waved his wand to tightly bandage the woman's back and chest. She then waved her wand once again, as Lyra's shirt buttons closed magically. Sarah then asked Snape to come back in.
"We will monitor her through the night. I'll start work on those burns on her hands as well." Said Snape as Sarah silently nodded in thanks. He sat down in a chair and checked Lyra's pulse. It seemed to have steadied and hopefully the woman would wake up feeling better tomorrow. He then began unscrewing the top of a another healing salve container. He scooped out a generous amount and lathered the salve onto the woman's hands. Severus, noticed something interesting on her fingers. Traces of her ring's elements, were clearly still on them.
Severus raised his head, finally noticing Minerva still in the room. He frowned, he knew she and Marks had an awkward relationship since the past term, and that they were related, but he didn't know they were so close.
"Minerva, why are you crying?" He said gently. His voice shook the professor out of her trance. She cleared her eyes and her face returned to its usual stoic self.
"I...I'm just exhausted..." She replied brushing his worry away. He rolled at her and excused himself, to go get a cup of tea.
"Don't worry, Aunt Minerva. Lyra will be fine. She usually is..." Sarah stated smiling, as she patted her aunt's head lovingly.
Downstairs, an emergency meeting of just very few Order members, sat discussing the happenings of the night. Kingsley, Lupin and Tonks, were telling Dumbledore, Sirius and Moody, what had happened, and since Snape walked into the kitchen, he stood there listening as well.
"It was like nothing I've ever seen, Albus…" Kingsley said still mildly shaken by the events from earlier. Lupin decided to help continue.
"When we arrived at the scene, it seemed like, Marks, already had things under control. She knocked out two death eaters, on her own, with a wand in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. That itself, was miraculous to watch. Her skills and movements, are just...truly...impeccable. But, one of the death eaters caught a hold of Sarah, and asked Marks, to put her wand down. The minute she saw, Sarah pinned. Something shifted in her, Albus! It was like, she had been playing nice before. It was just a matter of minutes, in which she produced a fiendfyer Phoenix. Could have burnt those two men to their possible deaths, if she hadn't been stabbed in the back. But that, wasn't the most shocking thing, Albus…" Remus paused.
"What is it Remus?" Sirius egged him on.
"She…spat something…I…don't know…what…" Remus wondered out loud.
"Fire Whiskey." Grumbled Severus from the corner. The group turned to look at him surprised by this information, and how Snape possessed it.
"It was on her breath. When I was about to administer her a bezoar, but it seemed like she was already aware of the poison on the knife. She had taken one before she even got here. Otherwise, she'd be as good as dead by now." Snape stated rolling his eyes. Tonks cut him off with a pointless realisation of her own.
"She took a large sip, Remus! She drank from the cup!" Tonks said excitedly, as if Remus had missed a crucial point.
"You need fuel to start fiendfyer." Gruffed Moody darkly. He had a unreadable sense of dread fall before him. He understood, why Dumbledore was so hesitant. Yet, Alastor felt Dumbledore was being unreasonable.
"But Professor Dumbledore…that's not all…" Tonks piped up, as the group turned to look at her.
"She did all of that, without her wand." Tonks finished. Moody raised his eyebrows at her sentence.
The room sat there in silence. They had never witnessed such powerful wandless magic before. Although, extremely dark, it was still incomprehensibly strong.
"She had the ring of fire. It's a magical conduit. I could see traces of sulphur and phosphorous all over her burnt hands." Drawled Snape, as if what these people had witness, wasn't really that special. Perhaps, for him it wasn't. After all, being a death eater, meant witnessing such powerful dark magic on a daily basis.
"Could you…for once in your fucking life, shut the fuck up, Snivellus?! Fucking ruins everything!" Sirius snarled, telling Snape off for being such a downer.
Moody stood abruptly. An extreme look of annoyance rested on his face.
Minerva walked into the kitchen to join the group. She looked completely shaken. Albus's eyes darted to her. He stood and walked over to her.
"Minerva…are you alright?" He asked gently. She looked like she was going to faint. She was about to move away, but she missed a step. Albus gathered her into his arms instantly and helped steady her. She looked up at him his eyes gazed into hers. They stood there like that, for seconds. A blush creapt across Minerva's face, as Sirius sniggered in the back. She quickly pushed herself away from him.
"I'm fine." She muttered snappishly.
A sudden slam on the table, jolted everyone in the room. Moody had slammed his hands down.
"This has gone on long enough, Albus! Tomorrow, when Lyra Marks wakes up, either you will speak to her about joining the Order, or I…"
"We are not going over this again, Alastor!" Dumbledore thundered back.
"You're being a stubborn fool, Albus! Were tonight's events, not proof enough for you? She is clearly going to fight for our cause. The death eaters, have given her a reason to! She knows, they will return for her. We can offer her protection. No death eater, will venture close to her. If they knew, she was under your protection!" Moody tried pushing his point. There was silence in the room. But then, Dumbledore's sudden fit of laughter filled it.
"You think…Alastor…after hearing what they said...Did you not hear Severus? She doesn't need our help! You think, she needs our protection?! Lyra Marks, is strong enough to protect the lot of us." Albus laughed, shutting Moody up.
"We don't know anything about this woman, Alastor. We can't trust her so blindly. Out of courtesy for Sarah, we have given her a haven for the night. She will be gone tomorrow." Albus stated definitely.
"What's there to know, Dumbledore? She's a member of the 27. Isn't Tessra Jones the one offering support? Do you not think, Marks will be the obvious choice?!" Moody snapped as Dumbledore huffed in exhaustion.
"What do you fear, Albus? There's something that's clearly bothering you. So spit it out!" Moody added. Albus grew grave, he wished to put an end to this repetitive conversation.
"I fear, my dear Alastor, that the last man, who could produce a fiendfyre like that, took everything from me, everything! And he's rotting, in Numengard as we speak! So, I fear a similar madness from her!" Dumbledore argued.
"You can't…you can't possibly think she…that she's Grindelwald's…" Alastor said in disbelief.
"Why not? Why not! Grindelwald was ruining, the world at the time of her birth, so why not? Where else could she have learnt, such dark magic? You think...you think the 27, teach their members dark magic like that?" Albus snarled in response.
He felt Minerva stiffen behind him. But he ignored her response to his accusation. Brushing it of as the familial affection that he knew, Minerva, had for the woman.
"Whoever's blood, she may have running through her veins, Albus. It's like what you always say, Innocent until proven guilty." Said Alastor adamantly.
Albus instantly calmed down. He seemed to have lost the argument. He had nothing more to add, now that Moody had placed his own words in front of him.
"Tomorrow…you will give up your stubbornness, Albus. And you will give that woman a strong reason to join the Order. Or you and I both know, we'll be answering to a very upset, Tessra Jones." Snapped Moody limping out of the room, muttering thunderously under his breath.
"Who's Tessra Jones?" Whispered Sirius as Remus went into detail about the woman and the 27.
"Well, if they exist, why are we fighting to survive?" Sirius snapped irrately.
"Why can't they just come in, with their forces of good and end all of this?!" He snapped, shaking his head.
"Because, it is not their war, Sirius. It is ours!" Dumbledore responded darkly. Sirius hushed up.
"And it seems…and it seems...soon, it is going to be Lyra Marks', as well...for some reason." Albus whispered shaking his head.
AN/- Thanks for reading. Do let me know what you thought :)