Chapter 41
Exposé
When Minerva stepped into the Order's headquarters, she was met with a standing ovation from all the members present. She blushed deeply, her cheeks turning a shade of pink, as she requested them to stop fussing about. In just two weeks, Minerva had managed to regain all her strength. She was now ready to return to meetings, discuss future strategies, and, much to her sister's dismay, ready to fight again.
After a lot of coaxing, Minerva had managed to convince Margery to return home, but not before receiving an earful from her eldest sister about taking better care of herself.
"You're not 23 anymore...you need to look after yourself!"
Minerva looked around at all the people in the room, studying each one of them with a keen eye.
The meeting had most of the core members present. Alastor Moody was engrossed in a discussion with Arthur, Molly, and Kingsley. Moody, who had returned from America just a few months ago after things between Athena and Horace had relaxed, appeared chirpier than she'd ever seen him. This trip had done him good – seeing Athena after so many years, being with her, realizing that she had been in love with him. Athena had finally found the courage one evening to confess her feelings, and Moody, though uncertain if it was wise, had begun his own torrid affair with her over the past few months. He wrote to her frequently, and they made plans for a future together once the war was over. He promised to move to America, and she pledged to apply for early retirement, so they could travel the world together.
Seated alongside Moody were Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Minerva noticed that the two of them were engaged in a soft yet heated discussion. She overheard snippets of their argument.
"I'm too old for you..."
"I can count, Remus...and I don't care..."
"Nymphadora...please...try to understand..."
"Do you not love me? Did all those nights mean nothing to you?"
"Of course, they meant something..."
"Then why can't we, Remus...?"
"You know of my condition..."
"And I still don't care about it. For you, I will learn how to brew Wolfsbane from Professor Snape...and he was my least favorite professor!"
"You deserve better, Dora!"
"But all I want is you!"
Minerva's looked to the woman on her right and the man sitting opposite her, Hestia Jones and Sirius Black. They seemed to be engaged in an intense game of footsie, a mixture of love and lust clear in their glances.
On the other side of the table, Sarah and Zeus were deep in conversation, speaking in hushed tones about a new and intriguing case at the hospital that had captured the attention of many healers.
Minerva's gaze drifted to her left, where Lyra sat nervously. She watched as Lyra twirled her ring around her finger, bit her lip, and rocked her chair back and forth. Ever since her return from America, her anxiety had shot through the roof, especially after the episode she had experienced at Christmas. Although Lyra seemed to have recovered or at least pushed away her feelings for Severus, she hadn't been herself since then. Something larger seemed to loom over her, and Minerva wished Lyra would speak to Severus about it, confront him about her feelings, instead of burying it beneath other concerns.
Minerva worried about the overbearing thoughts that swirled in her daughter's heavily disorganized mind. She wished she could help Lyra, maybe even speak to Severus about their little dalliance, but she knew better. Both of them had their own complex histories with love, both scarred and wounded in their own ways. It was probably best not to meddle in their business; Minerva knew neither of them would appreciate it.
Lastly, there was Albus, who had been observing Minerva with a tender smile on his face. Caught off guard, Minerva blushed as she noticed him. She was aware that he had watching her observant nature, a trait she had honed during her days as an auror, and one that always seemed to fascinate him. She raised an eyebrow at him, subtly gesturing that it was time to start the meeting.
Albus cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention.
"Shall we proceed? Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, do we have an update on the diadem?"
"Since Snape managed to retrieve information from the Grey Lady, Rowena's daughter, our search through the Albanian forest has been progressing slowly. However, just yesterday, Remus discovered a crucial lead from one of the werewolves—a mysterious tree in the forest that some muggles revere as the 'Tree of Knowledge.' Muggle folklore in the village speaks of this magical tree under which people have been known to attain sudden enlightenment. Many muggles have been flocking there to experience it, each leaving with knowledge they had been seeking. We suspect it has something to do with Ravenclaw's diadem. We plan to visit the site shortly." Kingsley reported.
Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgment.
"That leaves us with the snake, and she never leaves Voldemort's side..." Snape added, prompting the room to buzz with concerned whispers.
"That still remains a significant challenge in our progress. However, Lyra has something to contribute...would you like to share your thoughts?" Albus prompted as all eyes turned to Lyra. Caught off guard and lost in her thoughts, she blinked and looked around the room, realizing that everyone was waiting for her input. Albus gave her an encouraging nod.
"Right..." Lyra sighed as she stood, no longer comfortable sitting. She began to pace the length of the room as she spoke.
"Two months ago, as you know, I returned to America. I received a letter from Tessra Jones, calling me back to work on my elemental magic."
"Wait...aren't you already...aren't you a master of fire?" Sirius interrupted, a puzzled expression on his face.
"It's not that simple...not everyone in the 27 gets an elemental ring..." Lyra replied, her brow furrowing.
"Aren't the 27 supposed to be these all-powerful untouchable beings?" Snape chimed in, raising an eyebrow. Lyra chose to ignore his snide comment.
"To obtain an elemental ring, you need to have cheated death by the element—twice. Most members of the coven are scholars, creators, inventors, politicians and what not. They may know of ways to survive, but they prefer never to find themselves in situations that require such knowledge or skills. Some of us, however, aren't as fortunate, and circumstances demand that we use our abilities. For instance, like being swallowed whole by a dragon..."
"So, they just give you a ring...and you're supposed to figure out how this magic that's unlocked in you works...all of a sudden?" Tonks asked, a look of surprise on her face.
"In a way, yes! The ring is just a starting point. We do receive basic training that is taught at the beginning. However, it takes years to master an element completely..." Lyra explained.
"Most members aren't exactly very good at the element of fire. In fact, at this point in time, there are only seven ring bearers, and I am the only master of fire...in decades. That's why I was at Coven House for two months..." She continued.
"Did you master it, Lyra?" Sirius questioned with an expectant look. Lyra smiled at his trust in her capabilities.
"I am still figuring it out. I don't think anyone can master it so quickly, Sirius." She replied honestly, noticing Sarah frown.
"Wait! Isn't Tessra Jones supposed to know how to use the power of all the elements? Couldn't she help you with it?" Sarah asked, furrowing her brow.
"Yes, the basic knowledge of each element is passed on to the leaders. But Tessra, like many of her predecessors, has not mastered the element of fire. She prefers the use of her own elements, earth, and water..." Lyra explained.
"Why not?" Snape inquired.
"Because it's complicated to master, to use, to control...you name it."
"So, it's volatile...with a mind of its own?" Snape pressed.
"Yes!" She replied. Snape seemed to be provoking her for no reason, and she knew that if he kept prodding her with jibes, she would grow angry. It seemed like he wanted her to. Deciding to avoid confrontation, she looked away from him, which possibly made him grow even more bitter.
"We can't possibly put the boy through this, Albus...it's too risky!" Snape declared, crossing his arms and turning to Dumbledore.
"Put whom through what?" Sirius interjected suddenly, realizing that the conversation had shifted to his godson, and as usual, Snape seemed to know more about it than he did.
"Severus...if there is a chance that Lyra can help us destroy it without it harming Harry, then it is worth an attempt!" Dumbledore argued.
"Have you both gone completely insane? Or is this some kind of Dumbledore family trait?!" Snape snarled, his anger getting the better of him.
"I will not allow you to put the boy's life at risk for some nonsensical magic that she can't even understand, let alone perform perfectly! Black...you're his godfather...say something!" Snape looked to Sirius for support, a move that seemed out of character for him, but he needed reinforcements.
However, the entire room fell silent, their gazes shifting from Albus to Lyra. Severus suddenly realized what he had done. He had let his anger get the better of him, and in that moment, he had revealed Lyra's biggest secret. He swallowed hard, cursing himself internally. He shot a glance at Lyra, who looked at him with an expression of utmost betrayal in her eyes. They had sworn never to reveal the things they had discussed that night, and he had done the opposite without much thought. With just one sentence, he had managed to destroy everything, even the already slim hope of maintaining their friendship.
"Wait…what the fuck?" Sirius broke the silence, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
"Sirius…" Remus interjected, equally shocked, and attempting to calm his best friend.
"Yes, alright…please, everyone, this is not what we were supposed to be discussing!" Albus cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation, but the commotion in the room did not die down.
"So…it's true then?" Sirius raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
"Lyra?" Sarah called, looking for clarification as she shifted her gaze from her aunt to Dumbledore.
Lyra clenched her jaw and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"Fine, yes, he's my father, and she's my mother…can we move on?" Lyra snapped, her patience running thin.
"What! Wait…what?!"
"Dumbledore and…McGonagall are a couple?!"
"Sirius…please…" Lupin attempted to calm his overexcited friend.
"YOU KNOW HOW HARD WE TRIED TO SET YOU UP IN SCHOOL! GRYFFINDORS WERE ALWAYS LOSING POINTS BECAUSE THAT BECAME OUR SOUL AIM AT ONE POINT…TELL THEM, REMUS!" Sirius shouted, directing his incredulous gaze at Minerva.
"We are aware Sirius…those were a few difficult years. Gryffindor had to lose the house cup, because I was the one cutting points!" Minerva retorted, clearly exasperated. Sirius scoffed in disbelief.
"Bloody hell! That explains a lot though…you two could be family…the auburn hair…the eyes…the intense magic…"
"Thank you for the observation, Sirius…I think that will do." Albus stated curtly.
"My origins can be discussed later…what about Harry?" Lyra snapped sharply, redirecting the conversation to the matter at hand. She did not want people to pass judgment on her heritage.
Sirius looked at her contemplatively.
"Is there no other way?" Sirius asked, seeking guidance from Dumbledore and Lyra.
"None that we have found so far…without a conclusion that leads to…" Dumbledore didn't finish his sentence, but it was enough for Sirius to understand the gravity of the situation. He then turned to Remus.
"Well? What do you think?" Sirius asked Remus, his expression grave. Remus seemed to be gathering his thoughts.
"Logically, Severus is right. We don't know how safe this process would be for Harry or Lyra. Lily would have said the same thing..." Remus said thoughtfully.
"Thank you! Finally, some semblance of intelligence—" Snape stated, looking at Lupin with a glimmer of hope.
"I'm not finished, Severus..."
Snape's face fell. He had a feeling both these idiots would let him down. What was he expecting? They were James Potter's friends after all.
"James...would have, however, let you..." Remus interjected, his voice unwavering.
"He would have admired you, Lyra! Discovering something as abysmal...yet incredible as this was always his forte." Remus chuckled shaking his head.
"If I knew James..." Remus continued.
"...He would have convinced Lily to at least give it a shot. And...it's not like we have any other choice. If Lyra fails, Harry continues to face his current situation while we look for new solutions. However, if Lyra is successful, there is hope—a chance that we can be a step ahead of Voldemort. Severus, I trust Lyra. She has proven herself many times. If she says it's possible to separate Harry from the horrors he faces because of Voldemort's soul fragment being a part of him, then I trust her." Remus nodded toward Lyra, his trust evident.
"Besides…if we're looking for someone to get rid of anything to do with dark wizards…it best be a Dumbledore...even if she's the American kind." Sirius winked at Lyra. She blushed at the nickname, a reminder of the wretched title Rita Skeeter had crafted for her, "The American Dumbledore." In her frivolity, Skeeter had unwittingly hit the nail on the head before anyone else had.
"How exactly do you plan on getting into Hogwarts?" Snape asked, his anger finally settling. It seemed the vote had been cast in favor of seeing this through.
Snape couldn't believe that Lupin and Black could be so reckless with the boy's life. Who was he kidding? Lupin was right; the boy's idiot father would have probably been just as reckless. He was truly at his wits' end with all these Gryffindors.
"I think I can be of service here..." Minerva offered, looking pointedly at Snape. A sudden rush of embarrassment washed over him as he refused to meet her eyes. After all, it had been Minerva's greatest secret too.
"I will be resuming my post at Hogwarts this week…I suggest it's time we reach out to Aberforth, Albus…" Minerva stated as Albus nodded, as if they had been thinking similarly.
"We will meet you at the Hogshead once we've made the arrangements. Minerva, Severus…look for my owl…and Sirius, it would be ideal if you were present for this as well. It will only help Harry to have you by his side. Lyra, write to Tessra; we will need her presence, just in case..." Albus stated, as Sirius and Lyra nodded in agreement.
"Once you have tracked down the diadem… we will proceed with this plan." Albus said, looking at Remus and Kingsley, who also nodded in agreement.
The meeting concluded, leaving Lyra to sink back into her chair, her gaze filled with a mixture of anger and longing, aimed like sharp daggers at Snape, who stubbornly avoided eye contact. Her emotions were a turbulent storm - a fierce desire to shout at him, to vent her frustrations, but also an overwhelming urge to pull him close and kiss him passionately. He had an uncanny ability to drive her to madness, even when she was furious with him. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't deny the truth: she was deeply in love with him. It felt as though he held her emotions captive, refusing to let her escape. Whenever they were in the same room, it was a relentless psychological battle, one where they tried to break each other down. Lyra was exhausted by this childish war, but she felt trapped. Confessing her love? The mere thought terrified her. She was haunted by insecurities, terrified of the potential rejection. She wasn't sure if she could bounce back from it; her last attempt had almost cost her her brother's life, and she wasn't willing to take that risk again.
Another uneventful night had settled in at the headquarters, and Lyra found herself seated at the table with Sirius and Hestia Jones. They whispered to each other lovingly, their insistent cooing beginning to grate on Lyra's nerves. Albus had specifically instructed her to remain at headquarters tonight while Lupin, Kingsley, and their team embarked on the mission to recover the diadem. The importance of a smooth operation had been stressed, so Sirius, Hestia, and Lyra were to stay on high alert.
An hour passed, and Lyra finally turned her attention to the couple in front of her. Hestia had dozed off with her head resting on Sirius's shoulder, and he was engrossed in a book.
"Tell her to go to bed..." Lyra suggested, looking at Hestia. Sirius glanced down at the sleeping witch and then back at Lyra, smiling gently.
"Let her be...this might be the most useful I've been in a while..." He replied.
"You're plenty useful, Sirius..."
"Your boyfriend doesn't seem to think so." Sirius retorted with a scoff. Lyra clenched her teeth and shot him a stern look.
"He's not my boyfriend!" She replied firmly, avoiding eye contact.
"Isn't he? You know, I'm usually not wrong about these things..."
"Well, you're wrong this time!"
"It's uncanny...how much you resemble Professor McGonagall when you're angry...now that we know..."
"Coming back to Snape, why, though?" Sirius asked gently. Lyra raised her head, furrowing her brow.
"What do you mean, why?"
"Why aren't you with him? You seemed so close. Snape doesn't get close to anyone...so why you?"
"We're just friends, Sirius."
"Don't lie to me, Lyra. I've seen the way you look at each other. I've seen it all summer long. You think I was jealous of him for no reason?"
"What? There are no looks!"
"Sure, sure, there aren't...or perhaps, you're blind to them..."
"You...you knew I liked you, Lyra...but every time I tried getting close to you...he was always there, cockblocking me like the absolute prick that he is!" Sirius said irritably.
"There's only one explanation for that. He's clearly in love with you!" Sirius stated matter-of-factly. Lyra blushed, puzzled by how Sirius could have discerned that if she hadn't even admitted it to herself.
"No, he's not!" She insisted.
"I am a man, Lyra...I know...he is! I may have been looking for a good time...but he...he's not like that. I know him. I've known him since we were kids. Even if I hate him, he's...he's not really the type to sleep around with someone he spends all his time with!"
"And...I...I think neither are you..." He added.
"You're quite the expert on men, aren't you, Sirius? Next, you'll be telling me he has a secret stash of love poems dedicated to me." Lyra replied sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at his assumptions.
"Why are you getting so defensive?"
"I'm not!" She snapped.
"You're...you're in love with him too...aren't you?" Sirius interrupted her. Lyra paused mid-argument, taking in a sharp breath.
"Blimey...you...you are in love with him, aren't you?" Sirius declared, raising his eyebrows.
"I was just teasing...Merlin's pants, Lyra!" Sirius chuckled. Lyra clenched her teeth, frustration boiling within her. Her feelings were far from a laughing matter, and she wished Sirius would take her seriously.
"Can we change the subject?!" She snapped at him, her anger mounting.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry for laughing. I just never thought anyone could fall for that slimeball..."
"Sirius!"
"Okay, okay! So, that brings me back to my previous question...why aren't you with him?" Sirius inquired curiously. Lyra shrugged her shoulders and looked away, not knowing how to answer.
"Are you scared of him? I wouldn't blame you...he is a death eater, I wouldn't trust a death eater..." Sirius pressed, trying to understand her hesitation.
Lyra sighed and shook her head.
"I am scared of being in love, Sirius…"
Sirius paused, his eyes locked onto Lyra's. With a reassuring smile, he placed his hand over hers, offering his support the best way he could.
"Don't be afraid of love, Lyra."
"Love is beautiful..."
"Not in my experience..."
"Then...you need to learn how to be brave enough to experience it again!"
"Sirius..."
"Look...I've never liked Snape...but..."
"If...if I'm right...and he does love you too...there's one thing you should know about him. Despite all his imperfections and horrible nature, the man...loves purely. I won't deny it. I may dislike him, but I won't take that away from him. You need to tell him, Lyra..." Sirius added. Lyra looked away and returned her focus to her paperwork.
As Minerva entered the grand hall, a hushed awe fell upon the assembled students, even the usually snobby Slytherins rising to their feet in a spontaneous ovation. Their applause felt like a collective sense of relief, welcoming her back with open arms. Minerva strode gracefully toward the staff table, her presence commanding respect, even from the haughty Dolores Umbridge, who wasted no time in directing a thinly veiled insults her way, questioning the notion of retirement ever striking her during her recovery. Minerva's retort, delivered with her trademark acidic wit, cut through the tension like a well-honed blade, it had something to do with the education system failing if all competent professors chose to retire.
Among the circle of her dear friends - Filius, Pomona, and Rolanda - warm smiles and supportive greetings enveloped Minerva. The day unfolded in her office, where they filled her in on the tumultuous events that had transpired during her absence. The student body had united in their rebellion against Umbridge, ignited by the audacious antics of the Weasley twins during the OWL preliminaries. However, the fury was dying down as the real OWLs approached.
Students, too, paid visits to Minerva, bearing small tokens of appreciation and gratitude. Some attributed the student uprising to her, their favorite professor, and were deeply dismayed by Umbridge's attempt to harm her. Minerva felt profoundly touched by the outpouring of love and solidarity among the students. If only the larger world could embrace such virtue, she thought, it would be a far better place.
A week passed, and Minerva found herself settling into a demanding routine. The workload had piled up, and among her pressing tasks were the one-on-one conversations she needed to hold with the fifth-year students to help them plan for their futures. It was crucial for those with specific career ambitions to start focusing on the relevant subjects.
After an unpleasantly brief exchange with Umbridge, who had dismissed her and instructed her to coordinate her schedule with Snape, now her reluctant deputy, Minerva knew she needed to address this issue at the earliest opportunity.
During her time back at Hogwarts, she had not exchanged a single word with Severus, not since he had inadvertently revealed her closely guarded secret. With determination, she approached the door to his office, knocking politely and waiting patiently for him to invite her in. From the other side, she could discern the faint sound of his tongue clicking in frustration as he made his way to the door.
"Professor Umbridge, I suggest you take your concerns about the additional Veritaserum to the Ministry...because I refuse to brew any more of it!" Snape's voice was filled with exasperation as he launched into his rant, unaware of Minerva's presence. However, his tirade came to an abrupt halt when he spotted her standing there.
Her gentle smile softened the tension in the room.
"I see you're relishing your new role as deputy..." She smirked with a touch of sarcasm.
"I'd sooner drink an entire cauldron of the Draught of the Living Dead..." He scoffed, smirking as he stepped aside, inviting her into his office.
Minerva settled gracefully into an armchair near the flickering flames of the fireplace, her gaze steady upon Severus as he took his place in an adjacent seat. The weight of their unspoken words hung heavily between them, and he was reluctant to be the first to break the silence, without stumbling into awkwardness.
Minerva, her gaze steady, broke the silence gently.
"Severus..." She began softly. He finally met her gaze, his face etched with grave guilt.
As Minerva observed him, she couldn't help but recall the image of a young Severus Snape, forever trailing behind Lily Evans, yet a master of magical skill in his own right. There were moments when he could have easily outperformed James Potter, were it not for the three other skilled wizards who usually accompanied him. Well, two skilled wizards, for Peter Pettigrew's talents extended little beyond his proficiency in potions.
Her memories drifted back to the time when Albus Dumbledore had brought Snape back to Hogwarts after the first war against Voldemort. Minerva had harbored deep reservations about him. He had been a terrible teacher, showing no respect for his students, and his past as a Death Eater was fraught with accusations of heinous crimes. Yet, Albus had worked tirelessly to clear his name and restore him to the fold of the wizarding world.
Minerva often found herself pondering what Albus had seen in this young man who had once brimmed with potential but had ultimately veered down a treacherous path by joining Voldemort. She recalled one particular night when she had discovered Snape perched atop the Astronomy Tower, surrounded by the swirling mists of cigarette smoke and the lingering scent of Fire whiskey. He had been dangerously close to the tower's edge, teetering on the precipice of despair, consumed by his unrequited love for a woman long gone.
In that dire moment, Minerva had reached out to save him from a fall that could have cost him his life. The following morning, with stern resolve, she had demanded he reveal the demons that tormented him. And, amidst retching and remorse, he had confessed his troubled history and sorrows.
Ever since that fateful night on the Astronomy Tower, Minerva and Severus had quietly grown closer, their connection deepening in ways they rarely acknowledged openly. Minerva sensed that Severus needed someone to confide in, and she was more than willing to fill that role. For some reason, she believed that he had never been treated with the kindness he deserved. Beneath the thick walls of his facade, he seemed to have lost touch with his true self. Minerva saw it as her duty to help him rediscover his worth. She felt that if someone had guided her during her own darkest moments, her life might have taken a different path. She couldn't stand by and watch him ruin his life, not when she felt responsible for helping him find a better way.
Despite their house rivalry and the constant cutting banter they engaged in, most students couldn't fathom that they were anything more than colleagues who tolerated each other's presence. Yet, behind closed doors, they spent many evenings together, sharing conversations, drinks, discussions, games of chess, and just the simple pleasure of being normal—something both had lacked in their lives. They genuinely enjoyed each other's company, reveling in intelligent conversations, sharing jokes over the antics of students, and offering each other the kind of mutual respect and support that they deserved.
"I'm sorry, Minerva..." Severus began, his voice tinged with disappointment as he broached the topic that had weighed on his conscience.
"I shouldn't have said what I did...that night. It wasn't my place. I lost control of my anger...with Lyra...and...it was misplaced. I didn't realize the consequences would reflect on you...and Albus. Lyra...just really...sets...me on edge...sometimes."
Severus feared that his thoughtless outburst might have irreparably damaged their bond, and he waited anxiously for Minerva's response.
"What you said, Severus...may have been unintentional, but it is the truth. And I am not ashamed of it. So, it does not affect me greatly. Lyra has been, is, and will always be my daughter...and will always be Albus's daughter. In fact, when you said what you said, I had a moment of relief...that here was another set of trusted people with whom I did not need to hide this fact." Minerva replied with gentle understanding.
Severus still carried a heavy burden of guilt.
"I still feel incredibly horrible..." He admitted.
"That's because you are feeling guilty." Minerva noted with a knowing smile.
Severus fell silent, grappling with his emotions.
Minerva, however, wasn't content to let the issue rest.
"What happened between the two of you?" She asked, her curiosity evident as she raised an eyebrow at him. She pretended not to notice Severus's feigned ignorance.
"Please...it's not as if I'm blind, Severus. You went from spending every waking moment together to biting at each other's throats. So, what happened? You were both incredibly reckless, roaming the castle at night with Umbridge on the loose, pulling each other into your office every chance you got. You do realize I had nightly rounds near the dungeons, and so did many prefects. What changed?" Minerva asked.
A deep blush crept across Severus's face. He hadn't realized just how evident their actions had been to others. He struggled to find the right words to explain to Minerva the complex and tumultuous relationship that had developed between him and her daughter—the fact that he had been sleeping with Lyra, and now, unexpectedly, had fallen in love with her.
"I am not asking for an explanation as to what led to...this arrangement of yours. I am asking why you and Lyra are suddenly at loggerheads." Minerva pressed, her voice gentle but probing.
Severus bristled at the question.
"Perhaps a very good question to ask your daughter...she was the one who brushed me aside like I was garbage! And she claims to be trying to save our friendship!" His response carried a scathing tone.
"And what about you, Severus? Have you tried to save your 'friendship'?" Minerva, undeterred, continued to prod.
She hoped he would pick up on the underlying implication, but Severus remained visibly confused.
"What are you insinuating, Minerva?"
"I am merely asking a question..." She replied with an air of patience.
Severus appeared to be growing increasingly frustrated.
"Lyra...wouldn't prefer..."
"No, Severus!" Minerva interrupted, her tone firm.
"...I asked if you have tried."
"She pushes me aside...there is nothing I can do!" Severus retorted, his voice tinged with resignation.
"So, you haven't tried...you have not fought...from your tone, it sounded like this 'friendship' meant a lot to you?" Minerva probed further.
"It did...it does!" Severus snapped angrily, his emotions getting the better of him. He felt like Minerva was deliberately trying to confuse him.
Minerva offered a reassuring smile. Severus, meanwhile, averted his gaze, sighing deeply.
"I just-" He said hesitantly but was abruptly cut off by Minerva.
"You're in love with her...?" She ventured, her voice gentle and understanding.
Severus offered no response, his attention now fixed on the flickering flames in the fireplace, which seemed to mirror his inner turmoil. He wrestled with his emotions, attempting to banish thoughts of Lyra to the darkest corners of his mind, but they stubbornly clung to him, refusing to be exorcised.
"Severus, if something means...a lot to you, you fight for it..." Minerva continued, her voice filled with wisdom, wisdom that came from her own crushing experience.
"Look at me. I didn't...I didn't fight enough for it...and look where I am today. I lost the love of my life for years...my child...didn't know I existed! You don't have to keep punishing yourself, Severus. That is not what your life is meant to be. You need to learn how to start living it on your own terms. Fight for her, Severus!"
Severus, his gaze still fixed on the fireplace, eventually broke the silence.
"I am assuming...this was not the conversation you came here to have." He remarked, finally looking back at her.
Minerva shook her head, recognizing the need to steer the conversation back to its original purpose. She asked Severus for the schedule he had prepared, willing to set aside this matter for the time being and focus on their duties.
In the dimly lit kitchen, the late-night hours found Lyra seated at a worn wooden table, her fingers deftly handling a cigarette while her eyes remained locked on the object before her. It was a magnificent headpiece, encrusted with jewels and steeped in history, but now tainted by its association with darkness. She had been entrusted with a daunting task, charged by Remus and Kingsley to deliver the Diadem, a valuable artifact they had valiantly retrieved after a fierce battle against a horde of Inferi that had guarded it within the Albanian forest near a muggle village.
The memory of Remus and Kingsley's return was etched in Lyra's mind. Their expressions of shock and distress had painted a grim picture of their ordeal. The mission had begun with them instructing Tonks to remain outside and keep watch. As eerie sounds emanated from the forest, Tonks had grown uneasy and ventured inside to investigate. She had stumbled upon Remus and Kingsley, locked in a desperate struggle against the relentless Inferi, their wands proving ineffective. In a moment of chaos, Tonks's wand had backfired, unleashing sparks that inadvertently set one of the undead creatures ablaze, reducing it to ashes. The other two had retaliated by invoking fire, engulfing the entire forest in a fiery inferno. They had seized the Diadem and yet, their ordeal hadn't ended. They had to place the entire village under a powerful sleeping spell, before disapparating away.
Lyra's expertise in treating burns, had been put to the test that day as she had exhausted her supply of healing salve gifted by Severus at Christmas.
Now, as Lyra glared at the headpiece before her, she couldn't help but loathe how Voldemort had perverted such a powerful and beautiful object into an instrument of darkness. Yet, a growing fear for the Dark Lord gnawed at the edges of her mind. It wasn't that she was unaware of his formidable power, but the ability to command an army of Inferi hinted at a level of mastery that sent shivers down her spine. Lyra's concern deepened, for she questioned whether she possessed the strength and knowledge to confront such a force.
The sudden burst of flames heralded the arrival of Fawkes, the phoenix, in the kitchen. The majestic bird alighted gracefully on a nearby chair, fixing its gaze upon Lyra while emitting gentle squawks. Lyra extinguished her cigarette, recognizing the signal that Albus had finished making preparations. It was the sign she had been waiting for. It was time she retrieved Sirius. Tonight, they faced a daunting challenge, and the weight of it hung heavily on her shoulders.
AN/- The story is coming to an end in just a few more chapters. Hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've loved writing it. Do let me know what your thoughts are :)