Chapter Six
Christmas Day and Holiday Parties
December came quickly and before we all knew it, the holidays were here. The four of us had thrown ourselves into searching for Nicholas Flamel with no luck. Even Hermione didn't know where to begin which made it very difficult to find anything about him. Ron and Harry were staying at Hogwarts over the holidays and promised to keep searching but I was doubtful they would find anything.
My mind was on more pressing issues anyways.
I was incredibly anxious to be going back home for the holidays. Things changed the moment I had been sorted into Gryffindor but I wasn't sure just how deep they went… I was just hoping that they didn't find out about my friendship with Harry and Hermione. Though I knew I could keep that under wraps only for so long.
"You look like you're going to be sick." Hermione whispered to me as the two of us stepped off of the Hogwarts Express onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. She was the only one who knew how anxious I was about going home.
I spotted a familiar shock of platinum blonde hair and saw Mother greeting Draco with a large hug. Father wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"I'll be fine. I'll see you after the holidays?" I gave Hermione a small wave ignoring the looks of concern she gave me. I pushed my way through the crowd towards my family. My stomach was jumping with anxiety.
"Lyra! Darling!" Mother grabbed me into a tight hug, planting a kiss on my cheek. I was shocked but happily accepted, breathing in her familiar floral perfume. I had not been expecting such a warm greeting from her. "Let me take a look at you."
She held me back an arm's length and I felt my throat tighten as we both observed each other. She was the same as always. Tall, slim, with perfect blond hair pulled up in an intricate updo. Her pale blue eyes that I wished I inherited narrowed as she took in my appearance.
"You're much too thin, love. Have you not been eating enough? Draco, has your sister not been eating enough? You know how she gets when she's stressed. You must make sure she's eating." Mother reprimanded and Draco rolled his eyes.
"It's kind of hard to do when we sit at different tables." Draco grumbled and her expression fell for a second. She patted my cheek before letting me go.
"You two are supposed to be looking out for each other. That's what siblings do. Let's get home. The house elves are making a roast tonight."
She held out her arm and I took a deep breath before placing my hand on her arm, Draco doing the same.
Pop!
Everything went black for a minute as pressure pushed on all sides. Arms caught me as I stumbled once our feet hit the ground once again. My stomach lurched in protest.
"You've got to get used to it eventually." Mother sounded amused as she helped Draco and I straighten up. I made a face but it quickly turned to a smile seeing that we were home.
Mother had apparated us into the entrance of the Malfoy Manor. She snapped her fingers and with a loud crack two house elves appeared before us. Both Roony and Dobby bowed so low that their noses touched the ground.
"Take their luggage up to their rooms. Is dinner almost ready?" Mother asked and Roony nodded his head, ears flopping while Dobby gathered Draco and my trunks, disapparating with another a loud crack.
"Yes Mistress. Roony will have supper ready in half an hour." Mother dropped her coat on Roony's head and nodded in approval.
"Good, have it set up in the dining room." She then turned towards Draco and I, taking in our appearances. Her nose wrinkled in disapproval. "Both of you go freshen up. Your father is finishing up some business. He should be home soon.``
Both of us nodded then made our way up the staircase to our rooms.
"Merlin, it's good to be home." Draco said as we made our way down the right wing hallway. I nodded in agreement. As comforting as Hogwarts was, there was no place like Malfoy Manor. While some people might think it's cold with the marble accents and lush decorations, it was home. Several portraits greeted Draco and I as we walked through the halls.
"I missed my bed." I admitted and Draco nodded.
We stopped at our doors which sat across from each other. I paused for a second, my hand on the doorknob. Turning towards Draco I saw that he hadn't entered his room yet either.
"Hey Draco…" I hesitated for a second. "Do you think you could… not tell Mother and Father about Harry and Hermione?"
Draco's eyebrows furrowed for a second before he nodded.
"Don't worry, Ly. I wasn't going to say anything. But I can't promise that the others won't." I nodded, knowing that he was right. I just had to find the right time to tell them…
I muttered thanks then entered my bedroom, letting out a breath of relief. I was expecting more disappointment when coming home… more push back about being in Gryffindor. Maybe I was making a big deal out of nothing. Mother seemed to not really care about it.
Smiling, I looked around my room that looked the exact same as I had left it months ago. My room at Hogwarts had nothing on my bedroom at home. Centered on the left wall was my queen sized bed that had a fabric canopy draped above it, the fabric tied back on both sides so you could see the pillow covered bed. A window seat faced the backyard, giving a clear view of the garden. My bookcase and desk sat to my right, neatly organized. Attached to it was a small bathroom- giving me privacy that I had missed while at Hogwarts. The room was grand and excessive much like the rest of the manor but I loved it. I wanted nothing more than to throw myself onto my bed and sleep my stress away but I knew I didn't have time.
"So, how are your classes going?"
Mother asked almost forty minutes later. We were all sitting in the dining room, an awkward silence filled the room as we ate. Father had given us a small greeting before turning his attention to the Daily Prophet, not saying much. It was unsurprising but disappointing.
I glanced at Draco who was picking at his food, looking as awkward as I felt.
"Both Lyra and I are at the top of our class."
"Not first in your class?" Father drawled looking up from the top of his newspaper. Draco and I glanced at each other.
"There's another girl who's top of the year so far." I said and Father cleared his throat.
"What's her name?" I cringed at that. Clearly he was fishing for her family name.
"Hermione. She's actually a friend of mine. We study together all the time." I smiled trying to lessen the blow.
"Oh that's lovely, honey. I'm glad you're making friends. She must be in Ravenclaw if she's smart enough to keep up with the two of you." Mother grinned.
I smiled awkwardly at that but did not correct her. Draco kicked me under the table but I refused to look at him.
Seeing the lapse in conversation, Mother started to fill us in on the latest drama in the pureblood society. My smile faded as I started to pick at my food. How long was I going to be able to avoid the truth?
"A Gryffindor? Really Lucius? I thought I raised you better than that."
I tried not to flinch at Grandfather's words from where he sat in our Drawing room. I was dreading Christmas Day for this exact reason. While Father was uptight and only said one or two words to me since coming home… Abraxus Malfoy was much more outspoken about how disappointed he was.
Mother shot Father a look which he ignored, like he had been doing all winter break. I didn't think I'd be longing to be back at Hogwarts with Pansy's constant jabs and Ron's glares but… Merlin, this is suffocating.
"I know," Father drawled and I winced, looking down at the neatly wrapped box in my hands. "There's nothing we can do now though."
"-You should have sent the two to Durmstrang like I had told you. Karkaroff would have beaten some sense into that daughter of yours. They should have banned half bloods and muggleborns from Hogwarts years ago. It's that Dumbeldore's fault." Draco squeezed my knee as I clenched my jaw, trying to force down the anger that was building the more Grandfather talked. Pale gray eyes pierced my own and I looked away immediately, my mouth dry.
Mother cleared her throat loudly.
"Oh this is lovely." She held up a necklace that Draco and I had picked up for her a week ago. "Thank you darlings."
I put the dress I was holding to the side and picked up the next present, which was from Hermione and Harry. The two of them had gotten me a new set of quills which made me suddenly glad that I sent the group presents as well. I was worried about whether I should get them anything or not but decided to err on the side of caution.
"That dress will be perfect for the party tonight. I picked it up from the cutest boutique, I'll have to take you there over the summer." Mother said, trying to drown out Grandfather's grumblings about muggleborns and blood traitors. She picked up the box that I had set to the side earlier. "Roony, have this pressed and ready in Lyra's room."
A loud pop and the dress in her hands disappeared. I grimaced at the reminder of the party that was going to happen tonight. Most of the pureblood families in Mother and Father's inner circles were invited to the party we hosted every year. This, of course, included the Parkinsons.
"-Your daughter is in the house of mudbloods and blood traitors. What have you been teaching her? To betray her own kind?" Grandfather spat and Mother and Draco sent me a pleading look. I took a shaky breath trying to calm the anger that was bubbling up inside.
"It's only a matter of time before this one turns sour. You should disown her before she taints this family with that filthy blood."
"Abraxus, please. Can we be civil?" Mother begged but Grandfather was on a roll.
"Civil? Ha! That one is going to dirty the Malfoy name. Just like the Weasley's and the Longbottoms. Before you know it we'll be the poor laughingstock of the Wizarding community just like those-"
"Stop it!"
"Lyra!"
I was on my feet, shaking with rage. I could feel Draco's hand on my leg, tugging me back but my focus was only on the old man in front of me. A cruel smile was growing on his face which only fed my anger.
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" I snapped, hating how my voice shook as I spoke.
"Lyra, sit down." Draco hissed, looking pale.
"Don't you dare talk about my friends like that. They are nothing like you think-"
"Your friends?" Grandfather laughed. Disgust filled me as I stared at the wrinkled, old man sitting across from me. "Your friends? Your friends are blood traitors who prioritized those who burned our kind at the stake over their own. The filth they are trying to defend are trying to eliminate our kind because we are more powerful than they are. We are hidden from their world for a reason, child. Now sit down because you're making a fool out of yourself defending that scum."
"You can't just-"
"Lyra! Go to your room now!" Mother hissed but I shook my head. Draco's grip tightened on my leg.
"You're the one who has no idea!" I snapped back. It wasn't the most eloquent argument I could have come up with but my mind was muddy with rage.
A hand clasped around my wrist and yanked me back. Not expecting it, I nearly lost my balance. Catching myself, I turned to see Father glaring down at me, his lips thin with anger, face paler than normal. Before I could protest he started to drag me out of the room.
"Lucius!"
"Father!"
"She's a bad egg Lucius. Disown her before causes any more damage to this family." Grandfather yelled.
Father slammed the drawing room door shut behind us, and started to drag me up the stairs. I pulled on his arm trying to get out of his vice-like grip to no avail.
"Father, stop you're hurting me." I cried out, hating how small I sounded as he practically dragged me upstairs despite my struggles. The fire that had lit my belly was quickly doused and the fight left my body as I struggled to keep up.
My foot caught on the carpet as he threw me into my room. I fell to the ground in a heap, blood rushing in my ears. Despite throbbing pain in my wrist, I glared at him, my heart racing, tears starting to form in my eyes much to my horror.
His expression was dark as he glared down at me.
"You do not talk to your elders like that." His voice was low, seething with anger and I looked up at him, my throat so tight I couldn't make any words out. "Stay put. I've got to go clean up your mess."
The door shut with a sharp click and I stared at it blankly trying to process what just happened. Blinking rapidly, I moved to get to my feet but hissed in pain as my wrist buckled under me. Holding it to my chest, I winced at how red and tender it was.
I took a deep breath, gathering myself before getting up. I climbed into my bed, trying to fight down the panic that was threatening to bubble up over. After what felt like an eternity, I started to drift in and out of consciousness.
"Miss Malfoy."
I woke with a gasp and turned to see two wide pale green eyes staring at me. I groaned, rubbing the crust out of my eyes, wincing when my wrist throbbed with pain.
"What time is it, Dobby?" I asked, my voice thick .
"A quarter past Five Miss. Guests are arriving soon. Master wants me to get you ready for the party." His voice trembled as he spoke and my eyes narrowed on the bandages on his knuckles. Stained, filthy, and barely hanging on.
Bile rose to my throat as I stared at the abuse my Father inflicted on our House Elf. I wouldn't have even blinked seeing his injuries before today. Had I really fallen so far?
With a hiss of anger, I pushed myself out of bed and glared at Dobby.
"Leave me alone Dobby. I can get ready myself."
"Oh, no, Miss… No, Dobby can't Miss! Dobby has to help Miss! Master demanded it!" Dobby practically wailed and grabbed at his ears, tugging on them so hard that I flinched.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed down my frustration with the sobbing creature in front of me. It's not his fault. I thought to myself and looked at myself in the mirror. Puffy eyes, tear streaked face, and swollen wrist that was starting to turn purple… Lovely. I was far from party ready.
"Just hurry up." I muttered and he nodded his head, ears flapping as he did.
Dobby snapped his fingers and my hair was pulled up into a tight bun. He snapped his fingers again and a shiver ran down my spine. I looked in the mirror again and saw that my face was clear and my wrist no longer looked as swollen as it did a second ago. I rolled it in curiosity only to wince as pain throbbed up my arm.
"Master ordered Dobby to glamour Miss, not to heal. Does Miss need help getting-"
"I've got the rest, Dobby. Tell Father I'll be down soon."
Dobby bowed and with a crack, disapparated from the room. I took a deep breath and looked at the silver dress that was hanging on my wardrobe door. Put your best face on Lyra. I thought to myself.
Ten minutes later I made my way into our ballroom, flattening my dress nervously with my hands. The room we rarely used was decked out in sparkling lights and holiday decorations. Under the large Christmas Tree that was decorated immaculately was a group of musicians playing music that filled the room. Luckily for me, everyone's attention was on the Greengrass family who had just arrived. I spotted Draco who was standing off to the side and slipped next to his side.
"Lyra." Draco breathed, seeming surprised to see me. He grabbed me by the arms and held me a bit away, looking me up and down.
"I'm fine, Draco. Don't make a scene." I muttered, batting his hands away.
I smiled politely at the Carrow family that just arrived, the twin girls quickly made their way over to the food while their parents found a group to chat with. The hall was quickly starting to fill up with government officials and family friends.
"I'm not making a scene, I'm making sure that you're alright." Draco sighed, sounding exhausted.
I looked at my brother about to make a retort when I paused. Draco looked… scared. My heart tightened just looking at him. I squeezed Draco's hand with my good one in reassurance.
"I am fine."
Draco nodded, though his eyebrows didn't unfurrow.
"Draco, Lyra! Come help us greet people." Mother called over the chatter and waved us over.
Draco and I exchanged grimaces before pushing our way through the crowd. I cringed internally seeing that the Parkinson's had just arrived.
"And how is Hogwarts treating you, Pansy?" Mother asked with a glass of champagne in her hand, while Father shook Mr and Mrs Parkinson's hand.
"Oh I love it Mrs Malfoy." Pansy's voice raised a pitch as she spoke. "I really feel like I found my place with the Slytherins. It's nice to be surrounded by the right people, you know?"
Mother wrapped her arm around my shoulder, a polite smile on her face. Well, to anyone else it looked polite. I could tell she was annoyed at Pansy's quip. I gave Pansy a biting smile then turned my attention to her parents.
"It's so nice to see you again Mr and Mrs Parkinson. I hope you had an excellent holiday."
"Thank you Lyra, it was uneventful which is always good." Mrs Parkinson let out a loud laugh at her own joke and we all chuckled politely along with her. "How is Gryffindor treating you? I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you are in that house!"
Not only did Pansy get her pug like appearance from her mother, she got her flair for the dramatics.
"Now, now Scarlet. Let's be civil. It is Christmas, isn't it?" Mother teased before I could respond and Mrs Parkinson waved her hand dismissively.
"Don't be sensitive Narcissa. Now tell me child, are you really friends with the Harry Potter? What is he like?"
I cringed at her words. Of course Pansy blabbed at that. Pansy looked smug at my discomfort. I gave the Parkinsons my best smile.
"Oh, he's just like the legends say. I don't know if Pansy told you but he's actually on the Quidditch team as their star Seeker. My other friend, Hermione, is a muggleborn who is absolutely brilliant. Top of our year. She really pushes me academically which is more I can say about most people. How are your studies coming along, Pansy? I know that the top three spots are taken already… I wasn't sure where you landed." My voice was sugary sweet as I spoke too quickly to be interrupted. Mother squeezed my shoulder in warning but I just smiled politely at Pansy who looked like she was sucking on a lemon.
"A muggleborn top of your year? That's unexpected. Pansy here needs to be applying herself a bit more-"
"Mummy!" Pansy gasped, her pug-like face turning an ugly shade of red. It took everything in me to not start laughing at her.
"What? You know it's true. I thought I had raised you better." Mrs Parkinson scolded. "You've never been booksmart like the Malfoy twins, of course you make up with it in your good looks but those will only take you so far."
Draco let out a loud cough, trying to hide his laughter and Mother elbowed him. As much of a gossip as Mrs Parkinson was, she was more than willing to turn it back on Pansy which was something I loved to exploit when I could.
"Oh it looks like Cornelius showed up. We really should go greet him." Mother mused, spying Father talking to Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. "We'll catch up later Scarlett."
Mrs Parkinson nodded and pulled Pansy along. All of us relaxed as soon as they were out of ear shot.
"That woman, I tell you." Mother said under her breath before narrowing her eyes at me. "Harry Potter? Really Lyra?"
I gave her a sheepish smile.
"It wasn't intentional."
"And your study partner? She's a muggleborn?"
"She really is the top of our year."
"Lyra's actually not lying about that, Mother." Draco piped up looking amused.
"Is there anything else I need to know about these friends of yours?" Mother asked and I cringed a little bit thinking about Ron. I looked at Draco who gave me a look that clearly meant that I was on my own with that one.
"Ron Weasley hangs out around us too. I wouldn't consider us friends though."
Mother's eyebrow twitched at my admission and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Draco and I exchanged looks. When she reopened her eyes, she plastered a smile on her lips.
"Let's just make it through the night. I'll talk to your father about your new… friends but I expect your best behavior from now on, alright?"
"Of course Mummy." The corners of my mouth twitched as I said it.
"You're not as charming as you think you are." Mother sighed.
"I think she's plenty charming, Mummy." Draco teased and she shook her head at the both of us.
"Best behavior. From both of you. Now come, your father is getting impatient."
After half an hour, it felt like we had greeted everyone and the party was in full swing. Government officials chatted with the other purebloods and influential people that Mother and Father had invited. She always said it was the perfect time to network and keep tabs on everyone. Last year was the first time we were allowed to come, this year I finally understood what she meant about networking.
I was grabbing a drink when a familiar dark haired man caught my eye, leaning up against one of the walls unsurprisingly alone.
"I don't think it's safe if you ask your parents about Flamel." Hermione's words rang in my head as I stared at my Godfather. I had so many questions to ask him… maybe I could slip Flamel in subtly. As if he sensed my gaze, his dark eyes met mine.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Snape drawled, and I looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to us. Seeing that the coast was clear, I stood next to him.
"Merry Christmas." He gave me a deadpanned look. "I, uh, had a couple of questions for you."
"If it is about the Potions homework I had assigned, I'm disappointed in you." He said taking a long sip of the amber liquid in his glass. I scowled up at him.
"I'm not an idiot. I finished that ages ago. It was about some… other stuff."
Snape waited for me to continue but I found myself fighting with myself, trying to find the right words. What was I even supposed to start with? Why he tried to kill Harry? Why he was trying to get past Fluffy? What was even past Fluffy? There was so much to cover in such little time…
"Come find me when you figure out what you want to say. Stop wasting my time Malfoy."
Snape pushed himself off the wall to leave but I grabbed his sleeve, surprising us both.
"Sorry!" I quickly let go of my Godfather's sleeve. "Wait… I was wondering why you were cursing Harry's broom during the Quidditch match."
Snape sneered and I felt the blood rush from my cheeks. I really should have thought about that before I said anything.
"It seems like Weasley and Potter's incompetence is wearing off on you." He spat and I cringed at his words. "I wasn't cursing his broom, Malfoy."
"You weren't breaking eye contact and were muttering under your breath while his broom was going nuts. The moment you stopped-"
"Let me stop you right there Lyra Elladora Malfoy." I flinched at his use of my middle name. "Before you accused me of trying to kill a child, did it ever occur to you or your friends that I was casting a countercurse to prevent Potter from dying?"
I paused. A… countercurse. Right… Snape sneered at my expression. Embarrassment flooded through me as I pondered his words.
"What would I gain from killing a child in front of the entire school?" He hissed and I couldn't help myself.
"H-Harry and I saw that you were trying to get past Fluffy- the Three Headed dog." Snape's head snapped towards me at that. "We walked in on you the day before and saw your leg and-"
"I am only going to say this once and only once. Mind your own damn business." He snarled. I watched frozen in place as he downed the rest of his drink in a large gulp, then sneered at me. "Stop poking your noses into things you do not understand."
Snape stormed off before I could say anything else. I stood there, cringing.
Author's Note
I had a little too much fun writing this chapter- Lyra confronting Snape was cringe inducing but I was smiling like a madman the whole time I was writing it!
I've actually got the rest of the Sorcerer's Stone written so I will be updating with the second half of it soon! After that we will be going to weekly or biweekly updates once I get settled into my new place. (I should be packing and cleaning but instead I've been writing. It's awful for me but great for you guys ;))
Thank you so much for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing!
