Chapter Five
Frayed Nerves
"No."
"No? You can't say 'No' Lyra-"
"I can and I am. I am saying no. I am putting my foot down. Sure, I can be seen with you and Harry. It's pushing it but -Weasley-"
"Oi-"
Ron's face was red as Hermione and I stood across from the boys at the Gryffindor table. My own face was flushed with embarrassment. Had I known Hermione was going to try and sit with both Ron and Harry for breakfast, I would have skipped the meal entirely. Luckily, it was the start of the weekend so the Great Hall wasn't as full as it normally was.
"-That's another story! At least Harry is the boy who lived and you're smart. Weasley is-"
"A part of this no matter what." Hermione hissed then lowered her voice. "If you actually don't believe all that blood purity stuff, then prove it. Play nice with Ron and sit down. This is ridiculous."
I sucked in a deep breath, knowing deep down that she was right. Everything in me was telling me to run away. That I didn't need friends that badly. I could survive on my own- with a huff I sat down across from the red head who was scowling.
"You can't be serious." Ron whined, turning towards Harry. "She's a Malfoy- she can't sit with us!"
Harry exchanged looks with Hermione who took the seat at my side before shaking his head.
"Look, I get that you two have your… differences but we've got bigger things to worry about. " Hermione grabbed my arm and pulled me down into the chair next to her. "Lyra, tell the boys what you told me last night."
I grit my teeth then nodded. For some reason Hermione finding out that Snape didn't believe our story sent her in a spiral.
"Well," I drawled while pouring myself some orange juice. "Snape didn't believe Hermione's lie last night. Not that I am that surprised. I mean, I was shocked that McGonagall accepted it as easily as she did."
Both Harry and Ron paled at my words. Ron looked like he was about to start accusing me of sabotage when Harry cut him off.
"What did you tell him?" Harry asked, his voice low and I scowled.
"Oh yeah, I totally told him that Ronald made Hermione cry and you two thought it would be a brilliant idea to go exploring while a troll was on the loose-"
"Lyra!" Hermione snapped and I rolled my eyes.
"I didn't say anything you nitwits." I spat and both boys relaxed in their seats. "If I had, we all would have gotten in trouble for backing Hermione's lie last night."
I knew I was being mean but I couldn't help it. It felt like my skin was crawling, like something was incredibly wrong.
Looking up, I froze, feeling eyes staring at me from across the Great Hall. Hermione and the boys kept talking in low voices but it faded to a low buzz. Draco's mouth was tight in disapproval and eyebrows furrowed. As soon as my own gray eyes met his, his frown deepened. He gestured his head to the door and I gave a slight nod.
"I'll see you guys later."
"You didn't even eat anything-" Hermione started but I was already getting to my feet.
Neither Draco or I said anything until we met at the same alcove we had met at weeks ago, when I had first been sorted into Gryffindor. I had a very strong feeling that I was about to get an earful from my brother.
I leaned up against the wall, waiting for Draco to say something- anything. Instead he quirked an eyebrow at me. I stared back. Neither of us wanted to budge.
"Where were you during the feast last night?" Draco finally asked and I blinked in surprise. That was not what I was expecting him to ask.
There was no use lying to him. I quickly gave him a summary of what happened last night, and to his credit, he didn't say anything while I spoke in hushed tones.
"I knew there was something wrong… but… Merlin, Lyra." Draco ran his hands through his hair looking stressed.
I bit the inside of my cheek but didn't say anything as he processed. There was an unspoken… feeling that the two of us got whenever emotions ran high or there was danger. Mother chalked it up as coincidence at first but Draco and I knew better.
"Would it… be the end of the world if I was acquainted with Potter?" I asked after a moment and Draco's scowl returned.
"Why does it have to be him?" Draco spat and I gave a small shrug.
"I'm not joining his fanclub or anything. It's just… Hermione likes him and I need someone in the house to like me." It was an excuse and we both knew it. Draco mulled over my words and his expression loosened. "Look, I'm not going to worship the ground he walks on but Hermione's the only person who really gets me. And I know, I know that she's a muggleborn and it's risky but… I need friends, Draco."
Draco's body deflated but he gave me an uncertain nod. I smiled at my brother, knowing that was the best it was going to get. I wasn't sure where the animosity between Draco and Harry stemmed from but I wouldn't let that affect either of my relationships.
"Thank you." I gave him a tight hug which surprised the both of us.
"This doesn't mean I'm going to be nice to them." Draco grumbled in my ear causing me to laugh.
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
Over Draco's shoulder I saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron exit the Great Hall, stopping a couple of feet away from us. Bidding Draco a quick farewell, I caught up to them.
"Spilling all of our secrets to that prat?" Ron asked snidely as we started to make our way to the Library at Hermione's insistence. The brown haired girl passed me an apple while I scowled at the boy.
"I think we need to come up with some ground rules if we are all going to be friends." Hermione cut in before I could retort and held up a finger. "First rule. Try and get along. Sound like a plan?"
Harry agreed, leaving no room for the two of us to argue. Ron made a face at me behind their backs and I gave him the scowl I usually reserved for Parkinson.
"I saw that." She snapped and both of us rolled our eyes.
"I cannot believe that there are seven hundred ways to foul." Harry breathed almost forty minutes later as he poured over the library book's copy of Quidditch Through The Ages that Hermione had lent him.
Hermione was helping Ron with his potions essay across the table while I read over Harry's own, only half interested. Unsurprisingly both the boys weren't nearly as caught up on homework as Hermione and I were.
"Most games now-a-days are much more relaxed with the rules. It's only professional games which are super hard core about them." I hummed and Harry looked up at me in surprise.
"I thought you don't like to fly." He said, green eyes boring into my own and was a little surprised that he had noticed that. I turned my attention to his book, trying to avoid eye contact.
"I don't. Draco does though and is a Quidditch fanatic." I was about to say something else when I noticed his hands. "Are you wearing gloves while you practice?"
The blisters that were forming red and angry. Draco used to get the same ones when he would spend hours flying in the backyard.
"I've got a pair of school ones but they aren't… great." He looked a bit embarrassed at that.
I nodded in response but didn't say anything. I wondered if Mother would send me a pair from home… Draco had a couple and he clearly wasn't getting any use out of them. I made a mental note to send her a letter later tonight.
Harry glanced at his watch and let out a swear that would make my mother faint. He started to gather his books up as quickly as he could, ignoring everyone's surprise.
"I've got Quidditch practice." He said and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'll see you guys later?"
Ron and Hermione nodded and I waved a hand at him. Harry quickly rushed out of the library, getting snapped at by Madam Pince for running. I sighed and looked back down at Harry's essay that was riddled with my edits. Might as well finish before he gets back.
The four of us fell into an easy routine. Hermione and I helped the boys get caught up with their homework and we all made easy conversation. Hermione really seemed to enjoy their company so I went along with it. It wasn't nearly as painful as I had originally expected. Of course Ron and I still argued but that was another story.
In all honesty, it was nice having more people around. Though I would never admit that outloud.
The night before the Quidditch match I was lounging in the Gryffindor common room with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It was louder than normal, everyone was incredibly excited about the Quidditch match tomorrow morning. Hermione was checking the boys' Charms homework while I was flipping through the newest issue of Witch Weekly. The boys were talking about how Snape had confiscated Quidditch Through the Ages earlier while I had been tutoring Neville in Potions. Harry was clearly nervous about the game for tomorrow.
"I'm going to ask Snape if I can have it back." Harry finally announced getting to his feet.
"Better you than me." Ron and Hermione said in unison and I peaked over my magazine at the raven haired boy. He looked restless. Sighing, I set the magazine down and got to my feet as well.
"I'll go with you." Snape was much more likely to give it back if I was there with him.
I still hadn't told the others my relationship with Snape- not that they really asked. They assumed that he favored Draco and I because he was friends with my father. Which was part of the case but there was no need to flaunt the fact that he was my godfather.
Harry and I walked in silence down to the staff room. I hung off to the side as he knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Maybe try again?" I supplied when he looked at me and he nodded. Knocking again, we both waited.
Nothing.
Harry pushed the door open and I peered behind him wanting to get a glimpse of the staffroom. My stomach immediately dropped at the sight before us.
Snape and Filch were both inside. My godfather had his robes open and trouser leg rolled up to his knee. This gave Harry and I a perfect look at his pale and mangled leg. Filch was handing Snape some bandages but it was clearly an older wound that was not healing well.
"Blasted thing," Snape drawled. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all heads at once-"
Harry moved to shut the door but it was too late.
"POTTER!"
Both Harry and I took a step back as Snape glared at us. He quickly dropped his robes hiding his leg.
"I just wondered if I could have my book back." Harry's voice was small and Snape was practically shaking with rage.
"GET OUT! OUT!"
Harry slammed the door shut and grabbed my arm. The two of us sprinted back upstairs, not stopping until we got back into the common room which was still full of energy. My heart was pounding as I collapsed into my chair.
"Did you get it? What's the matter?" Ron asked and Harry and I glanced at each other.
In a low whisper, he filled them in on what happened.
"You know what this means?" Harry asked breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him- he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let the troll in, to make the diversion."
I wanted to argue with Harry's logic. Snape's sweaty, pale face from when he cornered me after the troll attack came to mind. Was it… because he was in pain?
"-I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe." Hermione was saying but I shook my head.
"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something." Ron snapped and I interjected.
"He got hurt that day." Everyone stopped and looked at me. A knot formed in my stomach. "When he was questioning me about the troll. I figured he didn't push because he wasn't interested. He didn't push because he was in pain."
"I'm with Harry and Lyra." Ron said which surprised all of us. "I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's the dog guarding?"
The four of us went to bed quickly after that, all quiet from our revelations. I felt sick as I laid in bed thinking about my godfather. His pale, furious face swam in my mind as tossed and turned that night.
The next morning it looked like I wasn't the only one who had struggled to sleep. Harry, however, was much worse at hiding it than I was. Dark circles hung under his eyes as he picked at his breakfast. Everyone was excited about the Quidditch game, chatting loudly and trying to encourage Harry to eat something- anything.
"Just a bit of toast." Hermione tried to put a couple of pieces on the dark haired boy's plate but he shook his head looking pale.
"Harry, you need your strength." Seamus Finnigan piped up. "Seekers are always the ones who get clobbered by the other team."
"Thanks, Seamus." Harry muttered, looking pale and I rolled my eyes. I couldn't tell if Seamus was messing with Harry, or just that insensitive. It was probably the latter.
"You'll be fine. Anyways, my mother responded and I got a package for you. Just in time." I pulled out the package I had received that morning before breakfast. I tried to ignore all the eyes on me as I handed Harry the package.
Harry looked confused as he opened the neatly wrapped package.
Mother had been a little confused when I requested her to send me a pair of Draco's old gloves, but did so without much pushback. Of course, I didn't ask Draco if it was okay… Draco hadn't said much about my friendship with Harry but I knew that lending him some of Draco's personal possessions was an entirely different story.
"Lyra- you didn't have to." Harry's eyes were wide with shock, some of the color started to return to his face. Ron's mouth had fallen open and I sniffed, looking away from both their gazes. I knew my face was starting to turn red from the attention but I tried to ignore it.
"Just win the game for us, alright?"
"Thanks Lyra." Harry said and I just waved my hand trying to change the subject.
Ron, Hermione, and I joined the other first year Gryffindors in the Quidditch stands for the match. It seemed like the whole school was out, excited for the first game of the season. Dean and Seamus were holding up a sign that read Potter for President that Hermione charmed to flash different colors.
I was surprised by how fast paced the Quidditch match was. Harry, for the most part, managed to keep out of the way while he searched for the snitch. Five minutes in and Gryffindor had already scored.
"Budge up there, move along."
A gruff voice cut through the Gryffindor cheers and Ron, Hermione, and I looked up to see Hagrid, the grounds keeper making his way towards us. I scooted into Hermione, making room so that he could sit in the empty spot next to me. I gave the large man a polite smile.
"Bin watchin' from me hut." Hagrid said, a smile on his face. "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the snitch yet?"
"Nope, Harry hasn't had much to do yet." Ron said.
"Kept outta trouble, though. That's somethin'." Hagrid raised his binoculars .
The game continued to move quickly. Gryffindor maintained their lead but the Slytherins were playing dirty. Bludgers were flying left and right- the Weasley twins doing their best to keep them contained and aimed at the Slytherins.
"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing…" Hagrid mumbled besides me. I looked at him confused then turned my attention to where he was pointing his binoculars. "If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom… But he can't have…"
That was exactly what it looked like. Harry was rising higher and higher in the air, his broom jerking wildly underneath him. None of his teammates seemed to notice that he was struggling. A gasp left my mouth as his broom started to roll over, Harry just managing to grab on. The crowd around us started to notice what was going on, people pointing at Harry in shock.
"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus wondered from in front of us but both Hagrid and I shook our heads.
"Can't have. Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic- no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand." Hagrid grumbled looking pale. I glanced at Hermione and Ron who both were white in the face.
Before I could say anything, Hermoine leaned across me, grabbing Hagrid's binoculars. Instead of looking up at Harry, she started to frantically look at the crowd. I watched as the Weasley twins tried to fly up to Harry only for his broom to jump higher each time.
"I knew it- Snape! Look." Hermione gasped and passed Ron the binoculars. He looked at where Hermione was pointing and looked like he was about to be sick. I grabbed the pair and felt my stomach drop.
Snape was almost directly across from us, his eyes fixed on Harry. His lips were moving non stop though it was clear he wasn't talking to anyone around him. Hermione said something but the static in my ears was too much. Instead my eyes were glued to my godfather.
He was casting a spell.
"Come on, Hermione…" Ron muttered under his breath. Whatever she was doing, I really wished she hurried up.
I passed the binoculars back to Hagrid, suddenly feeling nauseous. Fred and George started to circle underneath Harry's broom obviously hoping to catch him if he fell.
"I can't watch." I moaned and covered my eyes with my hands. I couldn't help but to peek through my fingers, hoping that Harry would be alright.
"He's back on!" Ron exclaimed and I watched as Harry clambered back onto his broom, back in control. Almost immediately he was speeding towards the ground. Harry clapped his hands to his mouth as he tumbled to the ground, looking like he was about to be sick.
We all watched stunned as Harry got to his feet, waving his arm in the air. He started shouting something but nobody could hear him. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the game ended in complete confusion. Somehow, Harry managed to catch the Snitch in his mouth.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I decided to meet at Hagrid's hut at his insistence.
Hagrid was busy making us tea while the three of us sat at the groundskeeper's large table. It was my first time in the one bedroom cabin so I had been excitedly greeted by Hagrid's large oversized black dog Fang. We were never allowed a dog at home so I was busy showering him with love as he drooled on my lap. Floppy ears and his cute snout was exactly what I needed to calm my frayed nerves.
"It was Snape." Ron was telling Harry as the three of us joined Hagrid's hut for tea.
"Hermione, Lyra, and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn't take his eyes off of you."
I wanted to deny it, but I knew that Ron was right. Snape had been doing something to Harry's broom during the game.
"Rubbish." Hagrid cut in. "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
I glanced at the others nervously. What were we supposed to say? Luckily, Harry spoke up.
"I found something about him… He tried to get past the three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it's guarding."
Hagrid dropped the teapot causing me to jump. Fang looked at me reproachfully for the sudden movement and then lumbered over to his bed in the corner. I couldn't help but to pout at the loss of attention from the dog.
"How do you know about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked and my eyebrows shot up.
"Fluffy?"
"Yeah. He's mine. Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"
"Yes?" Harry tried egging him on but Hagrid shook his head.
"Now, don't ask me anymore. That's top secret, that is."
"But Snape's trying to steal it!" Harry persisted.
"Rubbish. Snape's a Hogwarts teacher. He'd do nothing of the sort!"
Hermione decided to join in. "So why did he just try and kill Harry? I know a jinx when I see one Hagrid! I've read all about them! You've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking at all! I saw him!"
Hagrid just about had enough. "I'm telling yeh yer wrong! I don't know why Harry's broom acted like that but Snape wouldn't try and kill a student! Now, listen to me, all four of yeh, yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog an' you forget what it's guarding. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel-''
"Aha!" Harry exclaimed. "So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved isn't there?"
Hagrid cut our visit short and urged us back to the castle, looking furious with himself. I turned towards the others, eager about this new development.
"Well, I think we've got a bit of research to do." I announced and the others nodded, looking as motivated as I felt.
"To the library it is."
