Chapter 31
The Return to Hogwarts
The pounding on Severus's door jolted him awake, in his groggy state, he responded with a snarl.
"WHAT...DO YOU WANT?!"
"Severus...it's nine-thirty. If you want to catch the Hogwarts Express, like the rest of us...you better be ready!" Dumbledore snapped from the other side of the door, attempting to open it.
"Are you decent? I have Minerva with me."
Severus groaned, his head throbbing painfully, and he felt a chill on his bare back. He turned to the open window, then realized he was completely naked. He cursed Dumbledore for his intrusion.
"Severus?" Albus called again, growing impatient.
"I'll be downstairs in an hour, Albus...for Merlin's sake!" Severus retorted, holding his head in his hands.
"I knew you'd be late. We heard you laughing and giggling last night! Did you have company?" Minerva teased.
"Now, now, Minerva..." Albus scolded her, and they shared a light laugh.
"I do not giggle!" Severus snapped back, baffled by their banter.
"Alright then, we'll see you in an hour." Albus replied, and they shuffled away.
Severus rolled his eyes and began to gather his scattered belongings strewn across the room. He wondered why everything was in such disarray. Why was his shirt torn? He frowned upon noticing women's clothing amidst his things. Could Minerva be right? Had he truly entertained female company last night? He couldn't recall bringing anyone here. How could he have, considering the fidelius charm was still in place? His thoughts were muddled, and he decided it wasn't a matter he wanted to ponder at the moment.
With a wave of his wand, all his possessions flew into his trunk, except for his customary teaching robes. His pounding headache prompted him to summon a hangover potion, which he downed in a single gulp. He then headed for a quick, hot shower, enduring the stinging of the water as his body ached in various places. He dismissed it as a sign of growing older and perhaps outgrowing his capacity for indulgent substances. He scoffed at himself as he brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and donned his pristine teaching robes.
As the headache gradually subsided, Severus sat on the bed to lace up his boots. Something—or rather, someone—stirred beneath the blankets. He jumped to his feet, wand in hand, revealing the figure underneath. A rush of memories from the previous night came flooding back, and a look of utter horror crossed his typically impassive face.
He had had sex with Lyra Marks, or was it Dumbledore now? He had been profoundly drunk and out of his mind, shedding his inhibitions and had sex, with the woman he had considered a friend. What had he done? But the recollection didn't stop at that. His carnal mind led him down a path he didn't wish to revisit, reminding him of an encounter unlike any he had ever experienced. Severus had had numerous hook-ups and one-night stands, mostly with Muggle women who didn't know him. Those nights were often gentle, decent, soft, and predictable. Last night, however had been an entirely different experience. He recalled pinning her against the wall, making love to her on the couch, the table, and the bed. How many times had they had sex last night? Severus attempted to clear his mind.
"Shit!" Lyra exclaimed as she awoke, reaching for her glasses and pulling the sheets back up to her chin.
"That's one way to put it." He replied, disconcerted.
"Did we?"
"You're naked in my bed." He snapped.
"I can see that...but I was also completely out of my mind last night..."
"So was I." He retorted.
"I don't sleep with my friends." She stated, shaking her head as she brushed her hair aside.
"Neither do I..."
"But I slept with you!"
"I understand the situation perfectly, Lyra!"
They glared at each other.
"Pass me my clothes, at least." She snapped. He complied, and as she dressed, she regarded him carefully before stepping out of the bed, stark naked.
The inappropriateness of the situation hit him, and he struggled to avert his gaze. Yet, he couldn't help but steal glimpses of her body, adorned with small scars and bruises from her numerous adventures—and some that he had left last night.
"Please, it's not as if you haven't seen it all already." She remarked, rolling her eyes. He could only look back at her as she buttoned her jeans. She transfigured her crop top into a turtleneck to conceal her marks.
"Here..." He said, handing her a hangover potion, which she consumed in seconds.
An awkward silence enveloped them. Lyra scoffed softly.
"I know this isn't how you'd expect to start a friendship." He began, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
She understood what he was about to say, that perhaps being friends wasn't the best idea, that they should revert to their professional roles and mind their own business.
"Please..." She scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"What...?" He snapped in confusion.
"It's not that..."
"Then what is it?"
"We need to figure out what happens next time." She said, frowning at him and crossing her arms.
"What do you mean next time? This was a mistake, a one-time mistake..."
Lyra chuckled lightly, an odd reaction.
"What is it then?"
"We need to figure out what comes next." She said, as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"What do you mean, 'next time'? This was a mistake...a one-time mistake..."
Lyra chuckled softly, and he found it peculiar.
What did she mean by "next time"? They both knew there wouldn't be one; they both understood that this, whatever it was, had no future.
Lyra pulled up her turtleneck to reveal the rather sizable love bite he had left on her breast. Then, she stood up and adjusted his collar, the marks of their adventures were evident on his pale skin.
"There will be a next time. You and I both know it. It will be as unexpected as this was, and what you call a mistake will become a recurring event. Last night might have been the result of unclear minds, but next time, our heads will be clear. What will you call it then? We need a plan." Lyra said determinedly.
"There is no plan. I'll be at Hogwarts all year...and you're going be here. You're not making any sense, Lyra!"
"Severus, did you have incredible, mind-blowing sex with me last night? Or was it my imagination? We both know that we should make sense of 'this' before it spirals out of control. We both know that every time we see each other, our bodies will react. Unless, of course, you didn't enjoy it. Was I not up to your standards, Professor?" She teased with a smirk.
He stayed silent, blushing in embarrassment, biting his lip. It was undeniable; it was extraordinary, and he had enjoyed it multiple times. What she suggested was incredibly tempting, and he knew she was right. They would inevitably find themselves entangled again, like two creatures seeking release, especially now that they had tasted each other.
No one had ever been so appreciative of his performance before, he wasn't even sure if he had ever performed like that with anyone else. Moreover, no one had stayed in his bed until morning. She didn't seem to be ashamed of it, so why should he have to be?
He lifted his head to meet her gaze.
"Yeah, I thought it was amazing..." She smirked.
"What do you propose?" He asked slowly.
"So, you agree there will be a next time?" She teased.
"If there is, and there's a small chance there might be, what do you suggest?" He snapped at her, irritated by her smirk.
"Well, don't get too excited now." She needled. He rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Alright, have you heard of the Muggle phrase 'friends with benefits'?" She asked, and he frowned.
"You have your own pent-up tensions, and I often carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. A little release here and there isn't such a bad thing, especially when you trust the other person."
"You...trust me?" He asked, his gaze intense. She appeared surprised by his question.
"Well, obviously! I wouldn't have shared the biggest secret I'm currently harboring if I didn't trust you. Why? Don't you trust me?"
"I do." He replied simply.
"Then it's settled, I suppose."
"What about your parents? I'm sure Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall will find out, or worse, if a student sees you leaving my quarters!"
"We'll be discreet. Both of us seem rather adept at it."
"Your parents tried to barge in this morning..."
Lyra laughed.
"Really? Well, I'm glad I had enough foresight to ward the door."
He didn't find this situation amusing. She stood up, wearing a foolish grin, and patted his shoulder.
"Good talk. I'll see you soon."
"What do you mean, you'll see me soon?"
"Well, Aries Shorthorn will be returning to Hogwarts to finish his seventh year. As his official healer, I'm assisting Madam Pomfrey with his recovery. I'll be in and out of Hogwarts quite frequently this year."
"Oh..."
"Hope you keep your bedroom tidier than this place." She smirked and then left his room, leaving behind her scent and a lot to ponder. Severus sighed, his gaze fixed on the door she had just exited, and then he smirked to himself.
Lyra entered the bustling kitchen, where the children hurriedly finished breakfast and were attended to some last-minute packing. Mrs. Weasley worked diligently, churning out dishes as quickly as possible. Lyra took a seat beside Minerva, who was engrossed in the Daily Prophet.
"You're rather late for breakfast...don't you have to get to work?" Minerva observed. Lyra shrugged and picked up a piece of toast from her plate.
"I had quite a long day yesterday. I think I'll call in sick."
"You work at a hospital, Lyra! But, I do understand, what you mean." Minerva said sympathetically. Lyra smiled at her shyly.
Minerva discreetly glanced around as Severus entered the kitchen to pour himself a cup of tea. She shielded her daughter behind the newspaper to maintain their privacy.
"Lyra, you know I'm here for you." She reassured her.
"I know." Lyra replied, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Anything you need."
"Anything I need."
"And so is Albus."
"And so is Albus."
"Will you stop repeating everything I say?"
"Is it annoying to have a daughter?"
Lyra teased, and Minerva rolled her eyes, chuckling in response. Minerva gazed at her lovingly.
"So, the mystery of the look has been solved."
"You're too much."
"You should ask your sister; she had to put up with me for years."
The two women shared a small, warm laugh together.
"I'll miss you, Lyra. A lot. I wish I didn't have to leave like this." Minerva said with a hint of sadness.
"I know, but I'll be at Hogwarts more often than you'd think."
"Because of Aries Shorthorn?"
"Yes, and other reasons I'd rather not discuss at the moment. Other reasons that Albus and I will be working toward."
Minerva frowned, concerned by Lyra's cryptic words. Whatever these other reasons were, they sounded dangerous.
"Please be careful. I just got you back, and I can't bear to lose you again."
"If he pushes you too hard, come to me, and I'll set him straight."
"Straight to you." Lyra replied playfully.
Lyra smirked and placed her hand on Minerva's arm.
"I will, Mom." She whispered softly.
Minerva looked at Lyra with pursed lips, her eyes welling up with emotion. Not wanting to break down in return, Lyra stood up.
"Thanks for the toast." She said, taking a bite and then walked out of the kitchen to have a loud jovial chat with Sirius about something. Minerva smiled, shook her head, and felt a profound sense of love for the incredible person her daughter had turned out be.
Two months had slipped by, and Lyra hadn't received a single invitation to assist Aries Shorthorn in honing his skills at Hogwarts. Anxiety began to gnaw at her, not just for the young wizard but for their entire mission. The lack of a clear direction troubled her. Albus rarely corresponded with her, and when he attended meetings at the headquarters, he spoke with her privately but shared little about the search for Horcruxes. It was beginning to irritate her. He seemed to been marginalizing her, rather than collaborating with her to find a solution. So that night, after the meeting had concluded, she confronted him.
"Albus, this has to stop." She ordered.
"What do you mean?" He inquired.
"I mean you sidelining me, just because...just because you know...of..." She said gesturing between herself and him.
"Lyra..." He sighed.
"It must be that, right? You've started treating me like I'm made of glass!"
"I admit..."
"Yeah, well, I'm not fragile. You know I can hold my own." She cut him off sharply.
"I am aware, Lyra, but it's not entirely our relationship that has changed things." He interjected.
"You're saying there's something else?" She asked, a frown growing on her face.
"Yes. The Ministry has stationed a 'pink spy' at Hogwarts."
"A pink spy?"
"Dolores Umbridge has been appointed by the Ministry as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, supposedly to ensure the students are protected from my so-called 'insane' ideas."
"Along with her, come countless rules and unchecked authority..."
"They're monitoring floo lines and possibly our mail, making sure we're not plotting against the Ministry."
"That's utterly ridiculous!"
"It is, but it also why Madam Pomfrey hasn't been able to send you an official notice either."
"But they couldn't possibly suspect me of being a part of the Order?"
"They don't. However, you are who you are, Lyra, and they are most concerned about allowing any, let's say, unsavory elements into Hogwarts. You were the one who thwarted the imposter's plans last year. You were present when he revealed his intentions. But means the Minister is afraid that you might be swayed by 'my cause' and bring the wrath of the 27, and by extension, the international confederation, to exert pressure on him, much like MACUSA is attempting to do presently. However, Cornelius is too blind to see what's right in front of him; he'd rather keep his blinders on. He knows you will support any cause I promote because you witnessed the truth, and your position won't allow you to deny it. Besides, he also knows you wield a great deal of influence..."
Lyra scoffed.
"I'll find my way there, Albus, even if I have to use my influence to outmaneuver her."
"Let's not rush into things, Lyra..."
"How are we expected to make progress when we have no time to sit and plan?"
"—Speaking of which, I may not be able to attend meetings for the next few weeks. We can't risk arousing her suspicions and have the Ministry track my movements."
"All of this sounds dreadfully illegal!"
"—It's the position we find ourselves in."
Lyra let out an exasperated sigh.
"Any sign of Horace Slughorn?"
"None so far. Kingsley and Tonks have been visiting his many haunts, but they've come upon nothing substantial."
Lyra was about say something, but he cut her off.
"Patience, my dear daughter..." He whispered placing a light finger under her chin.
Lyra nodded defeatedly, and Albus offered her a gentle smile before making his way toward the exit.
AN/- Hope you liked the chapter, lots more to come...keep reading and reviewing :)