September 1994, 4th year

The weather was simply atrocious.

Being able to cast water-repellent and warming charms was a blessing that Lynea happily shared with poor Neville (Luna didn't mind the rain), but most of the other students weren't that lucky. And the infernal poltergeist made it worse by dropping water balloons on their heads in the Entrance Hall.

They were all too busy trying to stay dry and avoid the puddles and the soaking students to really notice what was going on around them until the Sorting Hat started his new song.

"Why is there no new teacher at the Head Table?" Pansy whispered.

"Maybe no one wanted to apply for a jinxed position," Gregory said with an amused huff.

Pansy stared at him with wide eyes. "What an insightful idea." She put a hand over her heart and shook her head with a dramatically shocked expression. "That I would live to see the day …"

Gregory merely gave her a fond smile.

"I'm sure the old man will tell us all about it," Lynea said, ignoring Pansy's antics. "Either that or the rumour mill will do its worst and we all know who to turn to in that case."

Pansy grinned. "I promise you will be the first people I am going to share my knowledge with."

The feast was as lively as always. The Slytherins discussed the tournament in roundabout ways that wouldn't give anything away to people who didn't know what was going on. At some point there was a commotion involving Hermione over at the Ravenclaw's table. The Bloody Baron made his obligatory appearance and told them Peeves had tried to sabotage the feast and taken his frustrations out on them in the Entrance Hall, because he, the Bloody Baron, had put an end to it and forced the poltergeist to leave the house-elves alone – Harry used that opportunity to enquire after Winky, who seemed to have more or less settled in with the Hogwarts elves.

And then, eventually, pudding was cleared away and the headmaster rose to make his yearly speech. He listed off the usual rules about banned items and not entering the Forbidden Forest and then upset half the school by announcing that the Quidditch Cup would not take place this year. (Lynea really wanted to roll her eyes at that.)

Dumbledore had already begun to make his great announcement, when the sound of thunder and the doors to the Great Hall flying open interrupted him.

"Is that Mad-Eye Moody?" someone exclaimed further down the Slytherin table.

"The infamous Auror Alastor Moody?" someone else hissed.

Lynea watched the man with the scarred face limp his way towards the teacher's table, his wooden leg making echoing sounds in the now silent hall.

"Huh," Theodore said. "He actually has a real magical eye. I thought those weren't made anymore. They only produce the normal-looking ones these days."

"I suppose an Auror wouldn't care about appearance so much and focus more on the practical advantages," Lynea said.

Pansy wrinkled her nose. "He certainly has nothing left to care about."

Moody – or Professor Moody, now – was the first addition to the staff that didn't get any applause apart from Dumbledore and Hagrid. Even Professor Lupin in his shabby clothes and ragged appearance had gotten a warmer reception than this.

"As I was saying," Dumbledore cut through the whispering that had broken out, "we have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're joking!" one of the Weasley twins exclaimed loudly and most students started to laugh.

"I am not joking, Mister Weasley," Dumbledore said and then explained what the Triwizard Tournament was all about.

Lynea barely paid attention, because they had already talked about most of this on the train. The only new piece of information was the age restriction, which many students were very upset about, even though that was the only really sensible decision about the whole thing.

"You know," Lynea said to Harry on their way to the Common Room, "I think I am going to teach you the Old Magics."

Harry gaped at her. "What? Won't you get in trouble for that? And why now all of a sudden?"

"I'm not officially a Lémure, so I should be able to get away with it," Lynea said. "And I have a feeling you might need it, so I better start teaching you what I can before I won't have the chance anymore."

"Why would you not have the chance anymore?" Harry asked curiously.

Lynea smiled wryly. "I can no longer delay the decision about where my allegiances lie and I fear I might choose the side that will not allow me to help you anymore."

Harry scowled at that. "Explain."

Lynea blinked. "The Lémures are neutral. If I choose to accept that name, then I will have to abide by their rules and stay neutral, too."

"I still don't see the problem," Harry said. "Daphne's family is neutral as well, right? It just means they won't help either the Dark Lord or whoever stands up against him."

"No, Harry. That is not it. The Greengrass family is neutral, because they do not want to be on the losing side – they don't care about right or wrong, about good or evil, they only want to protect their loved ones. The Lémure family is neutral, because the only side that would ever want them will always be evil. That is not to say that they care, but there is a necessity for them to stay neutral at all costs that no other family has – because we are already viewed as evil, no matter what we do. And, unlike the other families, the Lémures cannot afford exceptions. My grandfather was one such exception and it hurt our already tarnished reputation immensely."

"It's like Slytherin," Harry said, after thinking about it for a moment. "Everyone thinks all Slytherins are evil, just because they got sorted into the House of Snakes. But that's not true. No one is evil merely because of their Hogwarts House."

"You thought Slytherin was bad just because one person told you so before you had even seen Hogwarts for yourself."

Harry nodded. "I think I understand it better, now. Some people have bad experiences with certain people, they think the whole house or family is evil and tell their family and their friends and then those people see some bad examples and believe it and so on."

Lynea inclined her head. "That is one way to describe it, yes. If I accept the Lémure name, I will not be allowed to help you anymore – I won't be able to teach you the Old Magics and I won't be able to stand by your side when the Dark Lord returns."

"But you will still be my friend, right? Your decision is not going to affect our friendship or our study groups or anything?"

Lynea barely held back her laugh at that. Her decision would change so many things, but this was what Harry was worried about?

She shook her head. "Friendships and study groups have nothing to do with neutrality. Otherwise, Naenia would be in serious trouble for being friends with the Dark Lord."

Harry frowned. "They are still friends? Even after all he has done?"

"In a way. They did sever all contact back when he … Well, their friendship broke apart at some point, but they still regard each other as close friends, according to Naenia. It's kind of complicated."

Harry snorted. "I can only imagine." Then he sighed. "It's not like I am destined to fight the Dark Lord or something. I know he wants to kill me for some reason, but that doesn't mean I have to kill him, does it? I don't want to fight him. I just want everyone to be safe. So I guess … It won't really matter, if you can't stand by my side? I mean, I would obviously want you by my side, but it's not like I will take offence or anything. I don't want people to fight for me, to get hurt for me. I don't want to fight at all, if it can be helped. But the Dark Lord may not give me a choice."

"No need to drag other people into it?"

"Exactly." Harry shrugged. "If I'm lucky, Dumbledore or someone else defeats him, before he starts going after me. And maybe it will be permanent, then."

"But shouldn't you have trusted allies by your side, if he returns and drags you into his conflict?"

"I …" Harry hesitated. "I don't know. It seems like the sensible thing, doesn't it? But none of you have any reason to fight him."

"Other than protecting you," Lynea said.

"I can protect myself. I may not be skilled enough to defeat the Dark Lord, but I don't have to. I just need to survive."

Harry seemed to genuinely believe that and the rational part of Lynea's mind (which took up the majority) agreed. But a small part of her thought that it wouldn't actually come to that – that Harry would end up having to face and defeat the Dark Lord, after all. She could not think of a reason why, though.

"So you don't think it would be a problem if I choose the Lémures?" she asked.

"No," Harry said and gave her small smile. "I will support whatever decision you make."

"Thank you," Lynea said softly and then, louder, "I think we have loitered about long enough. The others are probably already worried about us."

o

"I see you still haven't made your choice, yet," Blaise said, falling in step beside Lynea.

"Well, I am working on it," she replied.

"It is always dangerous to not know where your allegiances lie," Blaise said with those knowing eyes of his never leaving her face. "It can put people's lives in danger."

"I know, Blaise," Lynea said softly. "That is why I am not making this choice lightly."

"I expected nothing less from you," Blaise said.

"If you're done whispering back there," Draco said over his shoulder, "then I suggest you hurry up. We have a lot ahead of us."

"You're just impatient to see whether your mother has already sent you any sweets," Pansy said with a teasing smile.

Draco raised his chin. "So what if I am?"

"Can I have any?" Harry asked. "Your mother always sends you the best sweets."

"But only because it's you, Harry."

"What? So you won't share with the rest of us?" Pansy pouted. "But Draco, you can't be greedy all the time. Especially not when it comes to sweets. It will make you fat!"

"And sharing is caring," Millicent sang.

Draco glared at them and didn't deign to answer. His eagle owl did indeed sweep down with a package filled with sweets and cakes Narcissa had sent him and he let Harry take some, but swatted both Pansy's and Millicent's hands away.

According to their new timetables, they would have Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws first and then Care of Magical Creatures with the Gryffindors – Draco was already complaining about that, but no one was listening. In the afternoon, some of them would go to Arithmancy, while the rest could enjoy a free afternoon. It would certainly be an interesting day.

Hermione caught up with them right after breakfast, so they could go to Transfiguration together and started ranting about the unfair treatment of house-elves – and had they heard about the fact that there were elves at Hogwarts? – and why wasn't anyone doing anything? – and there must be something they could do about this.

"Is that the reason for the commotion at your table yesterday?" Lynea asked, decidedly not replying to anything she had said so far.

Hermione nodded. "One of the ghosts complained about Peeves and how he had been bothering the house-elves down in the kitchens and I could not believe my ears – how did no one ever tell me that there are slaves working in the kitchens?"

And she went off again.

Blaise leaned in close to whisper into Lynea's ear, "Someone should probably tell her that she is going about this the wrong way." He glanced at the Slytherins trailing behind them – Draco, Pansy, Vincent and Gregory. "Before the others get too irritated and start acting up."

Judging from the daggers Draco was shooting at Hermione's back, it might come to that rather sooner than later. Hermione wasn't wrong, but she wasn't completely right, either. It was a complicated matter.

"Someone should, indeed," Lynea agreed. "But I don't think she is willing to listen to anyone right now."

Harry glanced at them and then cleared his throat. "Erm – Hermione? Have you, maybe, tried talking to them?"

Hermione stopped. Draco actually sighed – very loudly, and in a very irritated manner – before walking past her, the others in tow. Only Harry and Lynea remained.

"What's his problem?" Hermione asked in annoyance.

"He disagrees with you," Lynea said.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "If he –"

"Hermione," Harry interrupted gently. "Draco's family has owned house-elves for centuries. Their elves are actually helping with Kreacher, who belongs to me – and I don't like that, don't get me wrong, but I can't do anything about it right now."

"You could set him free," Hermione said.

Harry shook his head. "He wouldn't survive."

"Then pay him for his work."

What work? Lynea thought.

"He doesn't want to be paid," Harry said. "It would be equal to insulting him – his words, not mine. I think I made him dislike me even more by even suggesting that. Hermione, I am not asking you to stop and ignore this. I just ask that you go and talk to some house-elves. I actually send Winky to work with the elves in the kitchens, I'm sure she would show us the way."

"Winky?" Hermione asked and Harry winced.

"We are going to be late," Lynea said casually.

Harry nodded, relief spreading across his face. "We'll talk later. Okay, Mione?"

"Fine." Hermione huffed. "But we will talk about this. And you are going to tell me all about Winky."

"Of course," Harry said gently. "I promise."

Lynea already knew she would be nowhere near that conversation. She wondered whether she could convince Blaise to keep Harry company – he might even find the whole thing amusing. She wasn't sure any of the others would be willing to do it, but asking couldn't hurt. Leaving Harry on his own was not an option.

Because they were the last to arrive, there was only one bench right at the very front of the room left. Harry usually preferred to sit in the back of the room with the exception of potions – because Lynea insisted on sitting at the front in her favourite subject and Harry didn't want to give up being her partner. But maybe being in the front with Hermione would do them both some good. Neither Harry nor Lynea were particularly brilliant at Transfiguration. Using the Old Magics made it easier for Lynea, but using the Old Magics made everything easier. Well, everything you had to use a wand for, anyway. Brewing potions or handling magical plants rarely needed spellcasting. The same applied for Care of Magical Creatures.

The Slytherins had mostly come to accept Hagrid over the last year, and more than just doing it for Harry's sake. His perception about 'safe' and 'fit to be a pet' were a bit skewed, but he was a fine teacher otherwise. He did actually teach them things, unlike certain other professors. (Lynea did love potions and she did respect Professor Snape, but he was really not good at actually imparting his knowledge in an even remotely educating way, never mind friendly. And History of Magic was taught by a ghost.) Draco only complained for the sake of complaining these days and Pansy joined, because she liked to be mean.

The Blast-Ended Screwts, however, were really testing their self-control.

The creatures were horrible to look at, didn't seem to have any usefulness to them and actually exploded at random times. Hagrid wanted his class to look after them, see what they ate and raise the abominable beasts.

Blaise actually laughed at them, when they told him and Daphne about their lesson during lunch.

"And I had started to actually respect the man," Tracey said, wrinkling her nose. "I actually thought he wasn't all that bad."

Harry sighed. "He isn't. Hagrid just … has a very big heart and only sees the good in every creature he comes across."

"There's an article about the Weasleys' father," Draco said, before Harry could continue defending Hagrid. He held up a copy of the Daily Prophet that someone had left on the table and then snickered. "They didn't even get his name right."

Harry made a grabbing motion and Draco handed the paper over.

"What does it say?" Lynea asked, looking around for another copy.

"Dustbins," Pansy said. "I read it this morning."

"Dustbins?"

"There was an issue with Muggle policemen," Harry said. "Something about aggressive dustbins and Professor Moody being paranoid." He frowned. "The article doesn't actually tell us anything about what went on. It only criticizes Mr Weasley for embarrassing the Ministry. And then there's a picture of Mr and Mrs Weasley."

"Their mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?" Draco said. "And they are calling that a house? Honestly."

"Stop that," Harry said in irritation. "It is not their fault that they are poor. And I think their house looks lovely."

"The woman sure seems to eat a lot for being so poor."

"Stop it!" Harry hissed. "What is wrong with you?!"

The others all whipped their heads around to look at Lynea.

"Hush," Lynea said to the two arguing boys. "We are in public. You can either discuss this in a civilized way or take it to the Common Room."

"But Draco is being an idiot," Harry growled.

"I don't care," Lynea said and narrowed her eyes at Harry. Draco had already closed his mouth and was staring at the table. "Rules are rules, Harry."

"But –"

"Harry," Draco said in a resigned tone. "Please don't. Let's just talk about it later, okay?"

Harry stared at him as if he had grown a second head.

He didn't join them for dinner that day. Theodore told them he had asked Winky to bring him something. According to the ones that hadn't attended Arithmancy, Harry had been brooding all afternoon. He certainly looked the part, when they returned to their Common Room and immediately rounded on Draco for 'being such a horrible person earlier'.

The ensuing fight was one of the biggest they have ever had among their year. Some of the older students stopped to watch, but most were decent enough to leave them to it and not put their noses into business that did not concern them. Lynea watched every person surrounding the two boys, looking for any signs that warranted privacy charms. They seemed mostly curious and not hostile or anything, but if people decided this incident could provide useful information that could become problematic. Slytherin presented a united front, but that did not mean that its members were above blackmailing each other. And it would be Lynea's responsibility to deal with the aftermath. She really didn't want to.

She only listened to the actual argument with one ear, it didn't really interest her all that much. Draco was being mean and Harry was being heroic. Neither acknowledged the fact that the whole reason they were fighting in the first place was an article about a person they had nothing to do with. Arthur Weasley's life – and that of his family – did not concern them in any way. They were on friendly terms with the twins and Ginevra had a crush on Harry (Lynea wasn't sure whether the girl had gotten over it or not), but that was as far as their interactions went.

Draco was probably mean, because his father hated the Weasley's, and Harry was just a good person that couldn't stand bullying or bad-mouthing. Lynea marvelled at the fact that the two had actually been friends for so long without ever clashing like this before.

They tried to end it in the childish way of huffing and storming off angrily, but that would just not do.

"You can ignore each other later for all I care," Lynea said firmly. "But you are not leaving this room until you have come to some kind of understanding. Oh, don't glare at me like that. This is your issue. Resolve it."

After several minutes of angry silence and death glares, Lynea actually slapped each boy lightly over the head and told them, again, to talk it out. They listened to her after that.

"Boys," Lynea muttered under her breath, looking wistfully at the stairs to the dormitories.

"You wanted them to sort it out," Pansy said.

"They were being childish."

"Maybe that's because we are all still children? I would have certainly just walked away, too, after shouting at my closest friend like that. And then stomped around angrily for several days. It's what people do."

"They can still do that," Lynea said. "As long as they don't do it in public. But I'm not waiting for them to sort it out at a later point. Either they do it now, or neither of them is getting any sleep tonight. Or me."

Pansy laughed lightly. "Well, I'm going to bed. Have fun glaring them into submission."