Chapter Three

Lynara hugged herself as she stared out across the lands the Manor sat upon. Her brother beside her as he put his back to the view. His case at his feet and his hands in his pockets. "Do you think I will find my happiness here?" She didn't look at him as she watched the birds in the distance. At one point she would have happily taken her broom and flew alongside them. But it was shattered into a million pieces and she had no wish to replace it just yet. Flying was not on her mind at the moment anyways.

"I do. My friends have become like family to me. We look out for one another and they have no doubt picked up on how protective I am of you." He leaned his head back to look up at the clouds as they floated in the sky. "I imagine you'll find love with one of the members easily enough. Everyone is nice and will not push you more than you are willing to be pushed."

"I fear that I may never truly heal from the war Ren. Despite what was said in the car on the way here. That was just the start of what I call my personal Hell." She lowered her arms but held up her hands and looked down at them. "I have so much blood on my hands. So much guilt and regret in my heart but I also feel relief. Relief that its all finally over and I can move on in time." She hoped that in time she could stop feeling as if she would break at any moment.

He looked at his sister from the corner of his eyes before he lowered his head. "Lyra, you aren't alone anymore. You have me and Seiichiro. But I have no doubt everyone you just will be beside you every step of the way as you slowly heal." Ren knelt down and snapped open the locks of the case before he opened it. "Its okay to be afraid little bird but like I said you aren't alone."

She smiled at his words even if a part of her doubted she would ever heal. Since the day she stepped into Hogwarts her life hasn't been easy. Not that she allowed Ren or Seiichiro to know that little tidbit. She only told them of her yearly adventures and of the various things she learned about her parents. When she had lost Sirius and his mate Remus. She told them about how they died and why Voldemort was so hell bent on making her suffer. But she never let them know how badly it had truly gotten for her. "How long until they find us up here?"

He pulled out his saxophone and got it ready to be played. He could always sing for her but she enjoyed the saxophone more. Plus he usually saved the singing for when she had nightmares. It was the only way to soothe her back into sleep. Their mentors have yet to meet Lynara but it wouldn't be long until she meets them. "I suspect we will have a bit of time before they come to seek us out. Knowing them the way I do there is no doubt that they will want to check on you." He fixed the strap before he raised the mouthpiece and started playing for his sister.

Lynara turned around and settled on the ground with her eyes closed. In that moment on the roof she was at peace as she listened to her brother play. Ren knew her better than anyone ever could even better than Seiichiro. Wasn't so surprising when he had taken to her rather quickly when they were children. His charisma and gentle heart had pulled her in and wrapped her in a bubble of warmth and safety. Ren Jinguji was her personal savior and always will be.

Meanwhile in the music room the others gathered around Haruka as she unfolded the list. And what a list it was, the length of it alone was enough to make them all suck in a pain gasp. The first thing that caught their attention was the words severe vaginal scarring. That meant one thing only and it made Haruka cry while the guys all hiss in anger. Rape was something no woman should ever have to go through.

"Ren said she was held captive for almost two years. If there is severe scarring then that means she had to have been victim to it at least daily." Otoya said as Cecil knelt down and wiped Haruka's tears away. "No wonder Ren's asking us for help. This list is too long, which means she has been hurt in more ways than one. Yet all the scarring is listed as internal. On top of that she is far too skinny. Just how bad was this magical war?"

Natsuki stared at the list and felt something dark stir within him. He didn't let on that he had always known about his other side, his more darker side. Hard not to when people become scared of him after his episodes of being his darker half. Severe nerve damage, Intestinal scarring, muscle scarring, just what was done to this poor girl? He looked at the others and gently plucked the list from Haruka's hands. "It would take too long to read everything on this list. We should let Lynara tell us on her own time but for now we have to know how bad the war was so that we can help Ren and his sister." While he could understand their anger on behalf of Lynara. He felt that they should let her open up on her own time.

"Natsuki's right guys. Ren gave us the list to read but my guess is he knew we would be the first ones to notice the words. So he has either not noticed them or Lynara had told him before they arrived here. I bet with how close they are she told him." Masato said as he looked at the others before sighing. "I know where Ren and Lynara are, we can go to them and ask a few questions. After that we get to know his little sister as we would anyone else by being her friends. She needs them now more than ever don't you agree?"

"Masato is right, Lynara needs friends, ones that won't turn their backs on her." Haruka stood up as she dried her tears. Smiling in thanks to Cecil and the others before she looked at Natsuki who still held the list. She had a feeling he was going to become the girls closest confidant outside of Ren. It was in his eyes as he folded the list and tucked it away. "Lets go officially introduce ourselves to Lynara and welcome her into the family."

Natsuki looked at Masato as they all agreed and shared a look with him. Both of them had noticed what the others hadn't. Lynara isn't okay and healing would take time for her. Both nodded as if they understood what was being said between them. Then Masato led everyone out of the room and towards the manors roof.

Ren stopped playing the moment he saw his friends. "You found us now what?" He knelt down and began to put his saxophone away. Everyone knew by now he liked to play it and has heard him play it. But what he had been playing was a tune he had made for Lynara when they were younger.

Haruka was the first to speak as she knelt near Lynara. "My names Haruka Nanami, its nice to finally meet you." She held out a hand to the girl in a silent off of friendship.

Lynara shocked at first took her hand and gave it a brief shake. Before she stood up and was beside her brother. It seems his friends were going to properly introduce themselves.

Natsuki was the second one and held out his hand for her. "Hello, I am Natsuki Shinomiya. I am happy to finally meet you properly." He smiled brightly at her even if deep down he wanted to let his darker half out and hurt those that hurt Lynara. He didn't quite understand it but no matter what he was sure that this girl would be able to understand him better than anyone ever could.

Lynara tentatively took his hand and held back a gasp. Her magic sparked for just that single moment. But as she looked into his eyes she knew that she could trust this man as much as she trusted Ren. Magic had a way of guiding her even when she didn't always understand what it was trying to say right away. But she trusted her magic and the instincts she had gained from her time in the UK. "Its nice to meet you as well Natsuki." She slowly let his hand go and flexed her fingers. Thats the first time my magic has reacted like that. I know why but judging by the way he felt, he too has a dark past.

Ren watched them closely and frowned for a moment. He didn't think anyone but him had noticed the change in the air between Natsuki and his sister. But he did and he would be talking to her later about it. For now he was just glad that his friends were accepting his sister.

"I'm Otoya Ittoki!" Otoya bounced forward and held out his hand for her. Excited to get to know Rens sister.

Lynara looked up from her hand and giggled softly at Otoya. He was like an eager puppy and it was adorable. "Nice to meet you Otoya." She shook his hand and looked at her brother. Amused by the twitching of his brow at how enthusiastic the guy was. "Its okay Leo, he's like an eager little puppy."

Otoya pouted but the sparkle in Lynara's sea green eyes put a smile on his face. It wasn't fully there but he was glad to see some light in her eyes.

Masato rolled his eyes but stepped forward and held out his hand next. "Masato Hijirikawa, your brother's best friend and roommate."

She shook his hand and gave him a brief smile before she looked at the others.

"Tokiya Ichinose." Tokiya could see that things would be different with Lynara in the picture. Like the others he wanted to get to know Ren's sister.

Syo was next and he tipped his hat to her with a smile of his own. "Syo Kurusu at your service." He wasn't really one for shaking hands all that much.

Finally it was Cecil's turn as he held out his hand to her. "Cecil Aijima, its nice to meet you Lynara."

Lynara smiled at Syo and shook Cecil's hand before she allowed herself to breath out a sigh of relief. "Its nice to officially meet all those my brother holds dear. I apologize if there will be days that he won't be around you often." She wasn't going to be okay not for a long while yet but she could tell that these people would be good friends to her.

Natsuki waved a hand at her words and smiled as he spoke for everyone. "Don't worry about it Lynara. You are Ren's main priority, family comes first. But we will all be here to support you both." He looked forward to getting to know Lynara and just maybe he could show her his darker side. Or at least let them meet and see how that goes.

Lynara nodded and looked behind her at the fading sun. "I guess we should all head in and get some food before night falls." She then looked down at her brother's case and then up at him. Wondering if he would play again for her if she asked of it. His music was soothing to her and she knew it always would.

Ren picked up his case and then placed a hand on her head. "Anytime, day or night little bird. Remember that you can come to me for anything. Be it comfort from a nightmare or to hear my music. I will always be available for you." He would make sure of it too because his sister, like Natsuki said, came first now. He then held out his hand for her. "Let's all go in and have dinner together."

Lynara took his hand and then looked at the others. "Lets go have dinner then." She knew that in time these people would be just as important to her as they were to her brother. Her eyes lingered on Natsuki for a moment before she looked away. Her magic was telling her that Natsuki was her other half. But she wasn't ready for that kind of relationship and she didn't think he was either. But getting to know him would be welcomed by her. Romance can wait until she was ready to make that leap.

One more chapter before I do a small time skip. For those wondering yes Natsuki is Lynara's magical soul mate. But romance is not going to be in the cards for awhile yet. She is recovering from being a captive at one point and then being on the frontlines in the war with Voldemort. The two need time to get to know one another and let the feelings build as naturally as possible. Ren of course will be the overprotective big brother once he knows what that spark of magic between Lynara and Natsuki means. He'll be happy for her of course but he's her brother thus he'll still be protective. As the story progresses then more will he revealed as to what Lynara has been through during her time in captivity.