Chapter 38

Mistletoe

A few days after Mr. Weasley's attack, he was finally discharged from the hospital. Lyra drove him home, accompanied by Sarah and Zeus in the back seat.

Upon their arrival at the headquarters, a remarkable transformation awaited them. The entire house had been adorned and filled with life, shedding its usual gloominess to become a warm and inviting home, as if a rather large happy family resided there. Fred and George had even enchanted magical mistletoe to hang in unexpected places, promising to trap unsuspecting couples under it for hours until they shared a kiss. The first victims had been Sirius and Hestia Jones. Sirius, had now jinxed one of the mistletoe clusters to persistently appear above their heads, so that he could swoop in for a kiss, eliciting giggles from Hestia each time. She was a delighted and thrilled it, with Sirius possibly using this playful method to convey his growing affection for her. Remus and Tonks had also fallen victim to the enchanted mistletoe. Remus had bashfully deferred, but Tonks had promptly sealed their lips with a kiss. This led to a morning filled with Sirius teasing his best friend and cousin relentlessly.

Despite the need for celebration, Lyra couldn't help but carry her worries like a heavy cloak. Her mood often cast a shadow over conversations, causing people to think twice before approaching her. Realizing the dampening effect she was having on the atmosphere, Lyra began to withdraw, engaging in fewer conversations to allow others to fully immerse themselves in the holiday cheer.

On Christmas Eve, the kitchen buzzed with laughter, as party hats were worn, crackers were pulled apart, butterbeer was enjoyed, and lively conversations filled the air. Albus and Minerva joined in on the festivities at dinner. Lyra stood silently by the doorway, observing everyone exchanging hugs and gifts. She smiled to herself as she watched the eager children unwrap their presents at midnight. Her thoughts drifted to her own family, and she felt a deep longing for her parents, her brother, and his wife. But she also recognized the importance of her presence here.

A familiar baritone voice teased her.

"Aren't you joining in the festivities? Seems like something you'd dive into headfirst." The voice was close to her ear, and when Lyra turned, she found herself locking eyes with Severus. His lips curled into a smirk as he gazed down at her.

"Severus? I didn't expect to see you here!" Lyra exclaimed, her surprise quickly turning into a radiant smile. His slight head tilt indicated that she might be the only person who looked at him that way.

"Why wouldn't I be? The meeting is an hour away, and I do not tolerate tardiness..." He replied, his eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. For this one night, it seemed as though the Weasleys, Potter, Granger, and the members of the Order had momentarily forgotten they were in the midst of a war.

Seeing Severus brought an unparalleled happiness to Lyra, something she hadn't felt in a long time. His presence momentarily eased her burdens, allowing herself to forget her worries. A strong urge welled up within her, and she fought the impulse to give him a tight hug.

"What's with that expression, Marks? Stop smiling like that!" He chided with a hint of amusement.

"I'm just thrilled to see you..." She admitted with a warm smile. It was then that Lyra realized why she had felt such immense joy upon seeing him and why her gloomy demeanour had vanished.

Sudden alarm bells reverberated through Lyra's mind. What was she doing? This was not how she was supposed to behave! When did she start looking at him in this way? Could it be possible? Could she have, in her right mind, allowed her emotions for him to spiral out of control? Had what Zenia had teased her about this time last year actually come true? Had she, against her own resolve, fallen headlong into...into...love with him?

"You're still staring, Lyra. Are you alright? Or has your brain decided to take an early holiday as well?" He teased again, his unease clearly on his face as he noticed the intensity of her gaze.

"Lyra?" He called once more, unnerved by her prolonged scrutiny. She shook her head, snapping back to reality.

"Sorry...I was just...lost in thought..." Her voice wavered, reflecting the turmoil in her mind. He frowned, sensing that something was amiss – more so than usual.

Lyra noticed him looking at her, worried that he might somehow decipher her chaotic thoughts. She looked away from him, fortifying the mental defenses around her inner turmoil. She added this newfound complication to her growing list of worries. Why couldn't her life just be straightforward? Things between them had been so uncomplicated, with a mutual understanding of no emotions, just physical satisfaction. She had initiated their arrangement, so why had she been foolish enough to let love creep in? Now, she had to fret about him discovering her feelings and the possibility of him walking away, leaving her alone to mend her shattered heart, as had happened before.

Lyra knew that he couldn't possibly have feelings for her. Not when his entire existence seemed devoted to preserving the memory of his lost love, to which he still clung. True, he trusted her, and there was undeniable sexual attraction, but that didn't mean he had developed genuine emotions for her, beyond friendship. He had adhered faithfully to their arrangement, a restraint she wished she had exercised. However, this meant she had to let him go before he might contemplate letting her go. This meant stoppering her pro-longed Hogwarts visits, no more cornering him every time he was at Headquarters, or asking him to smuggle the castle's chicken pies dinners to her apartment on days they were working on theories. She needed to push him away before she fell even deeper in love with him. She needed to extinguish the spark before it ignited into an uncontrollable blaze.

"Lyra! Aren't you curious to see your presents?" Mrs. Weasley's voice called out from the dining table, breaking Lyra's chain of thought.

"Presents?" Lyra asked, her brow furrowing as she realized that others had thought of her too.

She made her way toward Mrs. Weasley, who had a small stack of neatly wrapped boxes with Lyra's name on them.

"Here, it's not much, but it's a small token of gratitude for bringing Arthur back to us..." Molly said, handing over a beautifully wrapped box to Lyra. She looked at Molly, who was beaming at her with warmth.

"I...I didn't get you anything..." Lyra mumbled awkwardly.

"You saved Arthur's life! I think that more than compensates for any gifts..." Molly said sweetly, rubbing Lyra's arm.

Lyra carefully opened the box and revealed a cozy grey knitted jumper with a red phoenix at the center. A smile graced her lips as she admired it.

"It's perfect! I love it! Thank you, Molly!" Lyra exclaimed, slipping it over her white shirt. Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly and they exchanged a heartfelt hug.

"Now, you're officially a Weasley!" Fred and George chimed in unison, causing laughter to ripple through the table.

Lyra was pulled away into the merriment. However, her eyes couldn't help but steal glances at Severus leaning against the doorframe. He was watching her with a smile, a smile that seemed reserved just for her. She had never seen him look at her like that before. Her heart raced with the possibility, the tantalizing thought: Could he also be feeling the same way? Could he have been as foolish as she had been? Had he, too, fallen in love with her?

Once the gift exchange concluded, Mrs. Weasley took charge of sending the teenagers back to their rooms. They grumbled about having to cut their party short, but Ginny Weasley suggested that they could continue their celebration upstairs, away from the adults. Mrs. Weasley shot her a motherly glare but didn't voice her protest. After all, it was Christmas! The children reluctantly filed out, casting somber glances at the potions master as they passed through the doorway.

"I apologize for convening this meeting on Christmas, but there have been significant developments that require your attention..." Albus Dumbledore began.

After the meeting concluded, Albus asked Lyra, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, Minerva, and Severus to remain behind.

Sirius retrieved the box and presented the horcrux locket. Dumbledore displayed the other horcruxes that had been found.

"Then, we're only missing the diadem...and the last one?" Sirius inquired.

"You're correct, Sirius. And I believe Harry holds the key to leading us to the final horcrux..." Dumbledore stated. The others listened intently.

"You see, when Harry had the vision of Voldemort's snake attacking Arthur, it wasn't merely an observation. He felt as if he were the snake himself." Albus explained gravely, delivering this unsettling news.

"What?!" Sirius exclaimed, horrified by the implications.

"This connection Harry shares with Lord Voldemort has worked to our advantage this time. However, I'm uncertain if it will continue to be useful in the future. In fact, it may become dangerous. Nonetheless, it confirms my suspicion that Voldemort's snake is the sixth horcrux."

"But what does this mean, Albus? What's going to happen to Harry?" Sirius pressed, his voice tinged with fear. The room fell silent, and even Remus understood the implications.

"Sirius..." Remus placed a comforting hand on his best friend's shoulder, conveying the gravity of the situation.

"It may mean that on the night Lily died protecting Harry, a fragment of Voldemort's soul connected to him. Harry may not be a complete Horcrux, but there is still a piece of Voldemort inside him."

"So that's why he can speak to snakes? That's why he has those dreadful nightmares? That's why he...sees those things?" Sirius asked, shaken by Dumbledore's revelation.

"But you...you said to destroy a Horcrux, you have to destroy the vessel containing it. Even if he's a partial horcrux...Albus, does that mean..." Sirius trailed off, fearing what Dumbledore was about to confirm.

"I'm afraid it could, Sirius." Albus responded heavily.

"However, I received a letter from Tessra Jones, suggesting there may be another way. However, it is a way that she is not at liberty to share with the world." Said Albus.

"What do you mean?" Snapped Sirius.

"It means...she requires Lyra's presence back in America, for a few months." Albus stated. Lyra nodded in understanding.

Sirius sank back into his seat, his face displaying a mix of anger and devastation. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"Remus...we can't allow this to happen! It's not right, it's not fair...all of this...Harry is just a child!" Sirius said, his words tumbling out incoherently. Remus nodded gravely but said nothing. There wasn't much left to say.

"For now, it appears that my previous idea of isolating Harry from this wasn't the best course of action. I propose that we help him grow stronger, develop his magic and defenses. Minerva will assist Harry in learning to defend himself, under the guise of tutoring him in Transfiguration. Severus, on the other hand, will help him control these visions using Legilimency." Albus declared.

The prospect of Snape teaching Harry anything did not sit well with Sirius, but he chose to trust Albus's judgment. For the first time, he decided to put aside his differences. He turned to Snape with a look of desperation.

"For Lily, then?" He stated, extending his hand. Snape regarded the outstretched hand with uncertainty. After a few seconds, he shook it. The two men nodded in silent agreement, as if making a silent vow they did not dare to break.

Severus patiently waited for the room to clear, his eyes never leaving Lyra. She sat in her customary chair, absentmindedly rocking it back and forth as she focused on the work she had brought home. The others in the room cast curious glances in their direction, noticing the peculiar shift in their dynamics. They assumed that perhaps they were about to engage in one of their usual deep conversations or exchange theories, as they often did.

Severus continued to observe Lyra, perplexed by her behavior. She was typically more animated, especially when he visited headquarters. She would welcome him with enthusiasm, a prelude to their sessions in the attic-bedroom. But tonight was different. She had started the evening with her usual excitement, only to abruptly ignore him, as though he were invisible. He couldn't understand it. Had he said something wrong? Done something to upset her? Lyra rarely took his banter seriously, and she was quick to respond with her own brand of sarcasm. But her blatant disregard unnerved him. He was accustomed to her attention, and, in fact, he craved it. Severus clenched his jaw and closed his eyes briefly. This shouldn't affect him so profoundly, yet he had missed her. Every day without her had felt incomplete, and he longed for their conversations, arguments, anything...just her presence.

Severus understood the predicament all too well. He had unwittingly developed deep feelings for the one woman he was never supposed to grow attached to. Yet, he found himself helplessly falling in love with her, and he couldn't help but blame her for it. She had been the one who wanted to be friends with him, it was her suggestion that they maintain their physical relationship. And now, ironically, she was the one distancing herself, seemingly ignoring him.

It wasn't fair. He desperately wanted her to reciprocate his feelings, but he was at a loss about how to broach the subject. He wasn't the type to lay bare his emotions, and the prospect of confessing his love filled him with fear. He had been rejected once before. He worried that she might do the same.

Lyra's consistent denouncement of love only added to his apprehension. She often proclaimed her distaste for it, especially since she claimed to have lost herself to darkness because of it. However, Severus knew she was an intelligent woman, then why wasn't she clever enough to have already sensed his affection for her.

Severus fell into a thoughtful silence, his lips forming a contemplative line. Could it be, he wondered, that she already had an inkling of his emotions? He was well aware of her keen observational skills, and he hadn't been diligent enough in concealing his feelings for her. He had engaged in constant flirtation and made advances whenever the opportunity arose, like an stupid infatuated teenager.

Perhaps, he thought, she had reached a breaking point and was gently trying to put an end to their current dynamic. Maybe, she was smart enough to have sensed the depth of his affection. Given her aversion to love, she might be attempting to shield him from the complexities of emotions he had introduced into their once uncomplicated relationship.

Despite his inner turmoil, Severus couldn't help himself. Every time he looked at her, his heart raced, his carefully concealed emotions broke free, and he felt vulnerable. In just a few months, she had managed to breach his emotional barriers, gaining access to his heart. He refused to accept her denial of his love, not like this.

"Lyra..." He called softly, taking a seat next to her. She paused in her work, her gaze leaving the papers to meet his.

"Severus?" Her tone was strangely professional, devoid of its usual warmth. She was neither cold nor affectionate, a departure from her typical self. He felt his resolve waver but decided to change the subject instead.

"Merry Christmas..." He said, pushing a small box toward her. Her eyes fixed on it with a hint of surprise.

"You got me a gift?" She inquired, her smile appearing for a moment. She had sent him a gift a week ago, an exclusive book on exotic potions she had found in the Black family library. She believed he would make better use of it. Besides, Sirius had told her she could take whatever she pleased from the library. There was no need for him to know what she had done with the book.

Lyra carefully opened the box and retrieved a small container of healing salve. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and let out a soft chuckle.

"You're quite cheeky..." She remarked, amusement dancing in her eyes as she looked at him. His heart ached to kiss her and confess his love, but the words eluded him.

"I merely thought...what might Lyra find most useful this year..." He responded with a touch of sarcasm. She scoffed and chuckled at his retort.

Their smiles mirrored each other's. An awkward silence hung between them as they slowly inched closer, drawn together by an unspoken attraction. But just as he dared to hope for something more, she pulled away abruptly. It was a painful reminder of reality, of the harsh truth that she would never reciprocate his feelings. Who could, after all? Not even Lily had. They were entangled in a physical relationship, nothing more. His foolish heart had dared to fall in love, a mistake he couldn't blame her for. Her actions were driven by practicality, not sentiment. Why should she be punished for his emotional folly?

"I...I should go...I have a long day at work tomorrow." She lied, rising from her seat.

"But it's Christmas tomorrow..." He remarked, the disappointment evident in his voice.

"And there will be patients waiting. Tonight is one of the crazies nights, when people will be indulging in drunken stupidity..." She replied with a shrug, her tone tinged with a hint of longing. She sounded as if she wished to be one of those drunk idiots. She stood, gathering her belongings. However, an unseen force pushed her back into her seat. She frowned and looked up, annoyed to find Fred and George's magical mistletoe hovering above them.

They exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to proceed. And so, they continued to look at each other, their eyes revealing their inner turbulence. Lyra let out a sigh and averted her gaze, but he wasn't ready to let her go. His fingers gently lifted her chin, drawing her closer until their lips met. As they parted, their eyes locked, each seeking answers to the same question. Yet, they found only uncertainty. The mistletoe vanished when they broke their kiss.

Lyra bit her lip and tried to break the intense stare they shared, but he wasn't having it. He kissed her again, and she couldn't resist. She kissed him back, uncertain about the meaning behind it. It felt different from their usual encounters, warmer, deeper. She wondered if there was even a remote possibility that he felt something even faintly similar to what she felt for him. But when he kissed her again, she began to doubt. Maybe it was all in her head. Perhaps he was here only because of their arrangement, not because he harbored any feelings for her.

His hands and lips explored her sides, inching dangerously close to the sensitive dip between her shoulder and neck, kissing her with a gentle fervor. Unlike their usual encounters, there was no rush, no hunger; only this newfound tenderness. It frightened her. What were they doing? Why was she allowing this to happen? She knew it could only lead to disaster. Love had not brought her happiness before; it had only caused her pain and heartache.

"Severus...please stop..." She pleaded, the words conflicting with her desires. He seemed too engrossed to hear.

"Severus...please, stop!" She urged, pushing her hands against his chest more forcefully. This time, he heard her and reluctantly pulled away.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, frowning. Wasn't this what she wanted? To use each other for sex? Then, why wasn't she happy? What did he need to do to make her see him as he saw her?

"I...I don't think we should continue this...anymore." She said, avoiding his gaze as she stood, no external force to hold her back this time. She quickly gathered her belongings, her heart heavy with uncertainty and regret.

"Why not?" He asked, his irritation evident.

Was she truly going to deny him, deny them? How could they possibly move forward without each other? He didn't know how to go on with this charade, if she insisted on pushing him away! Yes, he was deeply in love with her, but that didn't mean they couldn't still maintain some form of relationship, a friendship, an understanding. They both knew how vital they had become to each other, didn't they? Or was that sentiment solely his own? Maybe, she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Could he even blame her? After all, who in their right mind would want anything to do with him? Had he misjudged her character entirely? Had she used him just like everyone else in his life?

"I...don't think...this...us...is working." She muttered, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"This was your idea from the beginning, Lyra!"

"I know, but...you were right, alright! It was a bad idea!"

"So...you're just going to use me and discard me like I'm waste?!" His frustration laced his words.

"Don't say that!"

"What do you want me to say, Lyra?"

"I don't want it to affect...the work we're doing..." She snapped, her tone growing colder.

He glowered at her, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Was that all she cared about? How could she be so oblivious? How could she act so cruel and still consider herself his friend? Friends weren't supposed to hurt each other. Hadn't she been the one to claim she'd always be there for her friends? Wasn't she the one who had wanted to be there for him? He never asked for any of this. Yet, here he was, in love with her, deeply so, and she couldn't even acknowledge him as a friend.

He felt betrayed by her sudden coldness. But if this is what she wanted, then so be it. If she wanted to be distant and unfeeling, then he would show her just how detached he could be. He would...he would...he couldn't. As much as he wanted to retaliate in kind, he couldn't bring himself to be so cruel. He was hurting, but he couldn't stoop to her level. However, he would make it clear that he wouldn't allow himself to be hurt any further.

"It won't. I know when I need to be professional. I don't require your guidance!" He snarled at her. She nodded tersely, biting down on her lip to hold back her own emotions.

She felt wretched, as if someone were tearing her insides apart. Her heart ached as she spoke those words, and his reaction only compounded her pain.

Before she could leave, he abruptly stormed towards the doorway, the very same spot where he had stood not long ago, watching her with affection. He halted abruptly, torn between his own hurt and the desperate need to understand why she was acting this way. He had to know, he deserved an explanation!

"At least, tell me why. What did I do?" He asked, the pain in his voice piercing the air.

Lyra remained silent, her gaze locked on the pile of papers before her. Severus shook his head in frustration. Her silence was deafening and did little to soothe his wounded pride. He couldn't bear this any longer. Without another word, he stormed out, his robes billowing behind him as he left the room.

All through next week, Sarah saw a drastic change in her aunt. She looked like something terrible had happened to her. Sarah had never seen her strong, independent and hot-headed aunt look like this. But she had heard of the many times. Her father had visited her aunt to pacify her, help her out of these emotional ruts that she managed, to place herself into constantly when she had been younger.

Lyra looked like she was going through another one of those. She didn't smile, anymore. She didn't crack any stupid jokes. She hardly, spoke to anyone. She didn't come down for dinner. She didn't even seem interested in any Order meetings. She looked disconnected from reality, and that worried Sarah. Lyra was a volatile person. She didn't handle her feelings like a normal adult. She dug holes in her heart and buried them there. And when her heart couldn't handle it anymore, her feelings manifested themselves, in the worst ways possible.

"Sarah? Where's Lyra? Is she not joining us for dinner again?" Mrs. Weasley asked worried. Sarah shrugged and shook her head.

After dinner, Sarah sat in the kitchen wondering how to broach this topic with Lyra. She knew her aunt wouldn't tell her what was bothering her.

"Where is Lyra? Is she still at work?" Minerva asked Sarah, who shook her head. Sarah noticed, Minerva and Dumbledore had just walked into headquarters, after perhaps, another one of their horcrux searches.

"She's up in her room. Aunt Minerva…I'm very worried about her." Sarah offered softly. She needed to share this with someone, so she confided in Minerva. Hoping, she'd knock some sense into Lyra.

"Why?" Albus asked surprised.

"Ever since Christmas, she's been…behaving like she's depressed. It's very evident. And I'm worried… knowing her, she's probably not going to share her feelings with anyone." Sarah said shaking her head.

"She hasn't eaten in days. I don't think, I've seen her at work either, which is very startling. Because, she usually buries herself with work to ignore her feelings. She's not good at working through her own problems, the way she is with her work."

"If I speak to her…she won't tell me anything, Aunt Minerva…and if I ask my parents to speak to her…Lyra will probably lie to them as well. Dad will fight with her about it…mom will try pacifying her…but Lyra won't process their advice…I know that. Eventually, they'll give-up and hope she'll sort herself out like she normally does. But…this feels different, I've never seen her like this. I don't want her to wreck herself again…but I don't know what to do!" Sarah finished worriedly.

"I'll see what I can do. Perhaps, she'll listen to me." Minerva replied.

"Thank you…" Sarah said gently before leaving the kitchen.

Minerva prepared a plate of food and climbed up to the attic where Lyra's door remained shut. She knocked a few times, but received no answer. Minerva made an executive decision to unlock it and walk in. The room smelt of cigarettes and fire whiskey. That meant, Lyra was still in there. Minerva raised her wand and flicked it to bring the candles to life. She heard a soft groan from the bed. What she had thought was a pile of clothes, it seemed under that pile, was her daughter.

"Lyra?" Minerva called worriedly.

"What?" She groaned sickly.

"Are…are you not well?" Minerva asked, setting the plate on the bedside table as she checked Lyra's forehead for a fever.

"I'm fine. I'm just tired." She replied weakly.

"Lyra, you're weak…because you haven't eaten anything in days."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. What is wrong, Lyra? Please talk to me."

"Nothing."

"Lyra…you're clearly struggling with something…please talk to me…I can't see you like this…"

"I'm fine."

Minerva huffed indignantly and settled down on the bed quickly jumping up as a angry squawk and a ruffled phoenix flew out from the under the clothes pile. Minerva looked apologetically towards the beast who now chose to settle her feathers on her perch all while keeping her sharp eyes fixed on her sleeping master. Minerva turned her attention back to her disobedient daughter.

"Eat something."

"I'm not hungry."

"Lyra…please…"

"Leave me alone."

"I am not leaving, until you tell me what is wrong with you!" Minerva scolded.

"I'm fine."

"Well, I'm not leaving, until you eat something!" Minerva snapped determinedly. She pulled off the pile of clothes and the comforter. Finally, managing to get the other woman's attention.

Lyra slowly raised herself up, and silently took the plate from Minerva's hand. She ate three bites and shoved the plate back at her.

"Now, leave me alone." She said falling back into bed.

"I will not leave you alone." Minerva snapped, placing the plate down on the floor. She lifted the blankets and got under them. She hugged her daughter, holding her tight against her.

"Please tell me what's wrong, Lyra!" Minerva begged. She couldn't handle seeing her like this. She didn't know how, Michelin and Margery, had managed it.

Lyra didn't move a muscle. She just lay there silently, for another hour or more. And Minerva, stopped asking her. She just stayed there hugging her daughter close. After a few more minutes, Lyra realised that she was not going to win this battle. Minerva felt herself relax. At least, Lyra had made the effort.

"I did this to myself." Lyra said bluntly.

"I always fuck it…up…I am a fuck up!" Lyra added without looking at Minerva. A sudden rush of emotions overtook her, as her body convulsed. Minerva held onto her tighter. Lyra was reduced to tears, her whole body shook. She cried and she cried and she cried. Minerva didn't say anything as she buried her head into her daughter's hair, trying her best not to cry herself. She needed to let her break down. Lyra needed to release her emotions, before Minerva could help her heal…from whatever had caused her such immense pain. Another hour passed, as Lyra, finally managed to regain control herself.

"You should go. I'm sure, you have better things to deal with…" Lyra said softly, too embarrassed to even turn around to look at Minerva.

Minerva finally let her go. She turned Lyra over to face her. She held her daughter's face softly.

"There. Will. Never. Never. Ever. Be. Anything. More. Important. Than. You!" Minerva said, forcing Lyra to look at her. She forced her daughter to meet her eyes.

"There never was, and never will be, Lyra! Just because, I didn't raise you…doesn't mean you weren't, and forever will be the only priority in my life. I love you more than anything in this whole world. I would move the heavens if to just make sure you were going to be ok. I am your mother, Lyra, even if I didn't raise you! I am and I will forever be YOUR MOTHER. And you, Lyra, will always and forever, be the most important person in my life! So, I will not leave. I will not go. I will stay here. Until, you tell me what is wrong!" Minerva said strongly, looking into Lyra's eyes.

Lyra's eyes filled with tears again, as she buried her face into her mother's chest. Minerva held her closer than she had before. Kissing her hair. Hoping, she'd transferred some strength for Lyra to speak freely.

"If you tell me, what happened…you will feel better. Severus isn't the only one you can talk to…you know…" Minerva said smiling into Lyra's hair, as Lyra gave a choked cry. That was when Minerva understood, this had something to do with Snape.

"It's him, isn't it? He did this to you!" Minerva asked angrily, pushing Lyra away, to clear her dishevelled face of tears and stray hair.

"What did he do? Did he say something? He can be nasty, when he wants to be…he doesn't mean it, but I can understand if you're hurt. Oh Lyra! If he…"

"He hasn't done anything. It's my fault..." Lyra said shaking her head, looking away forlornly.

"You…love…him. Don't you?" Minerva asked carefully. Lyra did not answer.

"Lyra…answer my question!" Minerva demanded, pulling Lyra's face back to face her.

"You've fallen in love with him…haven't you?"

Lyra nodded her head and sighed. She finally, sat up in the bed and rubbed her hands over her face.

"It's my fault. I never meant for it to happen. I grew too confident in my ability to think I could never love anyone again. I never realised, when it happened." Lyra said dejectedly.

"So, that's why you've been sneaking around with him? At headquarters…in his office…at Hogwarts?" Minerva asked knowingly. Lyra looked back at her with surprise.

"I saw the both of you once…after you'd visited Mr. Shorthorn…he was flirting with you…and then you went into his office. I was on my rounds. I found it odd, but I presumed it was a friendly nightcap." Minerva said smiling.

"Well, it wasn't." Lyra said sheepishly.

"I realise that…" Minerva rolled her eyes at Lyra.

"Why…are you so upset about this?" Minerva asked.

"I. Don't. Do. Love." Lyra snapped.

"Oh, Lyra…" Minerva exhaled.

"No, I mean it. I'm terrible at it. The last man, I loved I almost ended up killing. Besides, we had an arrangement."

"You mean mindless sex?" Minerva asked. Lyra blushed.

"It started as that. It was…that…up until recently, when I realised, that I wanted more. I couldn't focus on work, I couldn't focus on my research, all I wanted was to be with him, all the time. I just wanted to be loved by him." Lyra stated.

"And…he doesn't love you back?" Minerva asked carefully. She knew, Severus, still loved Lily. But, if Minerva knew the man well enough, Severus wasn't as unfeeling as he portrayed himself to be. Besides, if it was mindless sex, why had she caught him flirting with her.

"I…don't know…" Lyra said shrugging. Minerva raised her eyebrows.

"What…what do you mean you don't know? Why are you moping about for something unknown?" Minerva thundered.

"I mean…I don't think so…but I don't know." Lyra replied unsurely. Minerva looked at Lyra.

"Why don't you try asking him?" She replied gently.

"I don't think, he ever wants to see my face again." Lyra sighed.

"It's not just that. It's like I said, love is not for me. I've never been good at it. I doubt, I will be now. It's best to forget this happened and move on..." She added.

"Lyra…don't…" Minerva cut her off, sounding extremely pained.

"Don't make the same mistake your father made." Minerva said softly, looking at her daughter. She looked just like Albus did. Minerva looked at her and shook her head. She was just as stupid as him. She was going to make the same mistake he had…how could she be so blind?

"You don't know if he reciprocates your feelings. But…you're ready to discard your chance at love, without even considering him as a part of your equation. Albus did, so many years ago…and he ruined three lives in the process. I can't watch you repeat history, Lyra." Minerva added shaking her head, letting a few tears fall.

"Promise me, you will speak to Severus. You will tell him how you feel! Regardless, of what he may feel, or not feel for you. You need to know Lyra! Everyone needs closure." Minerva said, placing a gentle kiss on her daughter's cheek.

Lyra did not say anything.

Minerva sighed again. She knew Lyra was stubborn. But in a corner of her heart, Lyra knew, her mother was right. That meant there, was a small chance that she would speak to Severus. But if, Lyra, was truly her father's daughter, Minerva also knew, that it would be much later, rather than sooner. Minerva, only hoped, it wouldn't be too late.

AN/- Hope you liked the chapter. Sorry for taking so long to post this. Will try posting the next one sooner :)