Chapter Seven
A Break in the Case
I pushed my way into the Gryffindor Common Room, relieved to be back at Hogwarts after a long train ride back. I hadn't thought that home could be suffocating but after Christmas it was like a switch flipped. Everyone was on edge and everyone kept their distance, Draco included. It was exhausting.
Thankfully, I was back at Hogwarts. It was the day before term started so everyone who had gone home had just arrived back at school. The Gryffindor Common Room was loud as everyone greeted their friends, sharing holiday stories.
"Lyra! Over here!" Hermione called from our usual spot next to the one of the fire places. I had missed her on the Hogwarts Express on the way back.
Smiling, I sat on the couch next to Harry, dropping my bag on the floor next to us.
"Evening, how was everyone's holiday?" I asked and Hermione gave me a look that screamed trouble. It had barely been a minute but something was already amiss.
"Apparently, Harry was sneaking out after dark." She told me in a hushed whisper and I raised my eyebrow at the black haired boy next to me. He gave me a sheepish smile.
"Couldn't keep out of trouble, could you?" I teased and Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Tell me everything."
Harry repeated what he told Hermione. He had been given an invisibility cloak over the holiday as a gift and decided to try the Restricted Section after hours, figuring he could find something on Flamel. During his late night adventures, Harry found a mirror that apparently showed your deepest desire. Harry saw his family and of course, continued to visit the mirror over the span of three nights until Dumbledore caught him, moving the mirror.
"I wonder why the mirror was in Hogwarts in the first place." I mused leaning back in the chair. I couldn't help but to wonder what I would see in the Mirror. My stomach twisted uncomfortably at the thought. I wasn't even sure myself…
"You're just lucky you didn't get caught!" Hermione prompted and I rolled my eyes at the boys.
"I'm just glad that break is over." I sighed, sinking into the plush couch, enjoying the warmth of the Gryffindor Common Room. "It was much too stressful being home."
"Being waited on hand and foot is stressful? Must be hard bossing House Elves around all day, huh" Ron quipped and I scowled, the peace I was feeling gone.
"Yes, it really is tiring to be spoiled and well loved." I sneered back and his ears went red.
"Bloody hell, you're such a princess." Ron spat and I rolled my eyes. "Does it ever get tiring being stuck up all the time?"
"Can you two please knock it off? It's been a long day." Hermione sounded exhausted as she sank back into her chair. I glared at the red headed boy before grabbing my bag off of the ground and getting to my feet.
"Don't worry Hermione. I'm going to bed anyway. Harry, Hermione, I'll see you guys in the morning."
Frustration filled me as I made my way up to the Girls Dormitory. Somehow Ron always managed to get under my skin. I was hoping that the time away from each other would help ease our bickering but that was clearly not the case. He was as infuriating as ever.
"Lyra! Hold on a second!" Hermione called but I didn't stop until I got to our room. I kicked my shoes off, pulled my curtains shut tight, and collapsed on my bed exhausted.
Almost as soon as I laid down, the curtains were pulled open and Hermione was standing above me with her hands on her hips.
"Why can't you try and get along with him?" Hermione demanded and I rolled onto my stomach, burying my head into my pillow. It was childish but here I could be. I was at Hogwarts now. Not at the manor. All of my pent up frustration was coming to a head. "Lyra, will you listen to me?"
Hermione pried the pillow out from under and hit me in the back of the head with it. I rolled onto my side and snatched the pillow from her. Hugging it close, I glared at the brown haired girl.
"I try to be nice! He always acts like I've personally offended him!" Hermione rolled her eyes at that and sat down next to me.
"You have personally offended him, Lyra! Multiple times a day usually. Maybe if you both just tried talking like normal people you'd realize that you're more alike than you think."
I snorted at that and Hermione gave me a deadpanned look.
"Weasley and I could not be any more different."
"You both are purebloods, you're both unbelievably stubborn, emotionally stunted, and loyal to a fault. You two just need to break the ice. That's all."
Biting my lip, I thought about what she had said. Maybe she was right after all… She usually was. Of course I would never admit that to her.
"I'll think about it." I sniffed.
"Budge over." Hermione shoved me and I scooted to make enough room for her. She sat down on the bed next to me and stared at me expectantly.
"What?"
Hermione quirked an eyebrow at me.
"What?!" I asked again, getting annoyed.
"Was it that bad?" She asked, her voice low. I cursed her in my head, she was to perspective for her own good.
The last thing I wanted to talk about was home.
"It was bareable." I said through gritted teeth. "How was your holiday?"
"You can be honest with me, Lyra." Hermione said and I huffed annoyed. I pulled the pillow over my face, wishing that I would just suffocate and this conversation would be over already.
"They don't get it." I mumbled and Hermione once again pulled the pillow from my arms.
"What was that?" She asked again and I sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
"They just don't get it. They're stuck in their ways and I felt like I was going to go mad there. It was a terribly boring vacation and I really don't know what else you want me to say." I huffed.
"Have you tried explaining it to them?" Hermione asked and I had to refrain myself from rolling my eyes.
She didn't get it either. It wasn't as simple as she made it seem. As everyone made it seem.
"If you drop it I'll try and be nicer to Weasley." I offered and she looked over at me for a moment. For a second she looked like she was going to argue but something in my expression changed her mind.
With a sigh, she told me all about her wonderful winter break with her loving family.
It was terrible but for a moment I was jealous while I laid there, listening to her.
A month into the new term I found myself skimming through a book Hermione lent me while Ron and Hermione were battling it out on the chess board.
Ronald Weasley was apparently very good at chess. By very good, I mean excellent. It was the one thing he excelled at, even managing to beat Hermione and I. I never pegged him to be a strategic person but after losing to Ron three times, I decided not to play him again. He loved to brag and I hated the smug look that he got on his face whenever he won.
"Harry!" I perked up as Harry dropped into the seat next to Ron. "Thank Merlin, these two have been at it for ages. How was Quidditch?"
Harry looked pale and slightly sick at the question. His dark hair was sticking to his forehead instead of up and unruly like normal. I frowned and put the cap on the ink I was using to draw.
"I know it's storming but it couldn't have been that bad right?"
Both Hermione and Ron looked up from their game.
"Snape's refereeing the next Quidditch game."
There was a beat of silence. Both Ron and Hermione paled at his announcement looking as nervous as Harry.
"Don't play-" Hermione said at once.
"Say you're ill." Ron said with a firm nod.
"Pretend to break your leg,"
"Really break your leg!"
"I can't. There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all." Harry groaned, sinking further into the chair. I stared at the group, confused for a second before realizing my mistake.
I never told them about my conversation with Snape at the Christmas Party. I never told them Snape was my godfather. At first I didn't want them to know but now… now it felt like it was too late to tell them. I cringed internally as I thought about it. I couldn't say anything about it now… could I?
"Guys there's something-"
Right at that moment Neville toppled into the common room, falling flat on his face. His legs were stuck together with what looked like the Leg-Locker Curse.
Laughter filled the common room but Hermione was already on her feet, casting the countercurse. Neville's legs sprang apart and he got to his feet with a breath of relief. Everyone else turned back to their own devices.
"What happened?" Hermione asked as she led him back to our little group. Neville sat down next to Harry, his face white.
"Malfoy." Neville shifted awkwardly in the chair, avoiding eye contact with me and I winced. "I met him outside the library. He said he'd been looking for someone to practice on…"
I scowled at that. Draco and I hadn't talked much since getting back to Hogwarts. Why he decided to start picking on Neville more was beyond me. The Longbottom boy had enough problems without my brother adding onto them.
"Go to Professor McGonagall! Report him!" Hermione urged but he shook his head.
"I don't want any more trouble."
"You've got to stand up to him Neville!" Ron added. "He's used to walking all over people, but that's no reason to lie down in front of him and make it easier."
I winced at Ron's words but didn't say anything. He wasn't… wrong but that didn't make it any easier to hear.
"There's no need to tell me I'm not brave enough to be in Gryffindor. Malfoy's already done that." Neville choked out looking on the verge of tears. A pit formed in my stomach as I processed what he just said. That was over the line…
Harry patted his pockets for a second and then pulled out a Chocolate Frog. He handed it to Neville who's bottom lip started to quiver.
"You're worth twelve of Malfoy. The Sorting Hat chose you for Gryffindor, didn't it? And where's Malfoy? In stinking Slytherin."
Harry's pep talk seemed to work because Neville's lip twitched into a weak smile as he unwrapped the Chocolate Frog.
"Thanks, Harry… I think I'll go to bed… D'you want the card? You collect them do you?" He passed the card to Harry before walking away. I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I'll have a talk with Draco." I scowled. "He's taking it too far with Neville. The boy can barely defend himself!"
Hermione frowned at that though Ron nodded at my words.
"He shouldn't be bullying anyone." She stressed and I frowned back. She didn't know Draco like I did.
"Yeah obviously. but Neville especially."
"But-"
"I've found him." Harry cut Hermione off, holding the Chocolate Frog card like it was gold. His green eyes were large as he held up the card for us to see. I tilted my head in confusion. I had a couple of Dumbledore Chocolate Frog cards at home. I really wasn't sure what was so special about this one.
"I found Flamel! I told you I'd read the name somewhere! I read it on the train coming here- listen to this: "Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicholas Flamel."
I snatched the card out of Harry's hand, wanting to read it myself. After months of combing through all of the library books we finally found him. On the back of a Chocolate Frog card.
"-and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel." I repeated out loud stunned. Of course it was right under our noses this whole time. Hermione had sprinted up the stairs to the girls' dormitory while Harry, Ron, and I looked at the card in my hands.
"I knew I had read his name before!" Harry said excitedly and Hermione rushed back down the stairs, a giant old book in her arms.
"I never thought to look in here!" She whispered excitedly and started to flick through the pages frantically. "I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading."
"Light?" Ron voiced my thoughts but Hermione shushed him, returning to muttering to herself.
"I knew it! I knew it!" Hermione set the book down in front of us so we could all see. We all leaned in, reading the paragraph she was pointing at.
The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Sorcerer's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life which will make the drink immortal.
There have been many reports of the Sorcerer's Stone over the centuries, but the only stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover.
"See!?" Hermione asked excitedly. "The dog must be guarding Flamel's Sorcerer's Stone! I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him, because they're friends and he knew someone was after it! That's why he wanted the Stone moved out of Gringotts."
"A stone that makes gold and stops you from ever dying! No wonder Snape's after it! Anyone would want it!" Harry declared and the excitement that was building up in me fell short.
Snape. Right.
Maybe he was telling me the truth and wasn't trying to kill Harry that one time. That didn't change the fact that he tried to get past Fluffy and got bit in the process. There was no denying his involvement there. How was I supposed to tell everyone he was my godfather now?
The other three poured over the book, excited at the break in the case while I sat back, mind spinning.
This certainly complicated things.
"Don't forget it's Locomotor Motis." Hermione whispered under her breath while Ron, Hermione, and I found seats in the Quidditch stands. I gave Neville a small grin, though his focus was on Hermione and Ron. Both were pale faced with bags under their eyes.
The three of us had been practicing the Leg-Locking Curse in secret at Hermione's insistence. I was just hoping that Snape wasn't lying to me and we wouldn't end up needing it. I would have a lot to explain if we did…
We watched as the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff team walked onto the field, my godfather sneering at everyone. He looked downright nasty today.
"I've never seen Snape look so mean." Ron echoed my thoughts. "Look they're off- OUCH!"
Ron and I spun around to see Draco grinning behind us. Crabbe and Goyle were at his side looking meaner than usual.
"Oh sorry Weasley, didn't see you there." Draco drawled. "Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?"
"Draco, stop it." I warned and his expression soured.
I had asked him to cool it a week ago when it came to teasing the Gryffindors. Apparently he didn't get the message.
We turned our attention back to the game. Snape was awarding Hufflepuff a penalty because George had hit a bludger at him.
"You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" Draco drawled loudly. "It's people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasley's who've got no money- you should be on the team, Longbottom. You've got no brains."
Neville went bright red and I clenched my fists trying to cool my growing temper.
"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy." Neville's declaration lost its power as he stuttered.
This sent Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle into a fit of laughter. I turned around, scowling at my brother.
"Longbottom, if brains were gold you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something!"
"Will you cut it out? You're acting like a child." I snapped at Draco who just sneered at me.
"It's not my fault you decided to befriend these morons." Draco gave me a haughty look that made my stomach twist. I couldn't understand why he was acting like this.
"Leave them alone Draco. I won't tell you again." I snapped.
The crowd gasped and cheered around us. I spun around and watched as Harry dove towards the ground.
"You're in luck, Weasley! Potter's obviously spotted some money on the ground!"
That was the last straw.
I spun around and punched Draco. Immediately my hand erupted in pain as Draco slipped back from his seat onto the ground. I let out a cry, clutching my hand to my chest. Draco looked up at me, mouth agape. His left eye was swelling, turning an ugly shade of purple. Blood was rushing through my ears as I climbed over my seat so that I was standing over him. I was vaguely aware of Crabbe and Goyle getting in a scuffle next to us but all of my attention was on my brother.
"What the actual hell is your problem?" I snapped. Draco struggled to get back to his feet but I pushed him back down. "I've told you this already Draco, my friends are off limits. If you have a problem with them, you have a problem with me."
Draco's face was red with embarrassment. The whole crowd erupted around us.
"Ron! Lyra! Where are you!?" Hermione shouted over the crowd.
I sneered at my brother one more time before tearing my attention away from him. Ron was pulling Neville away from Crabbe and Goyle. Ron was sporting a heavy nosebleed, Neville looked dazed and had a bruise forming on his jaw. The crowd around us was jumping up and down, Hermione hugging Parvati in excitement.
The match barely lasted five minutes and Harry already managed to catch the snitch. Of course, Ron, Neville, and myself were much too busy fighting to see any of it. Ron pulled me into a one armed hug, a large smile on his face. My face went red with embarrassment.
"That was brilliant Lyra!" He shouted over the crowd and I gave him a weak smile, my hand was throbbing in pain.
"I think I broke my hand." I yelled back.
"What happened to you three?!" Hermione demanded over the crowd, looking at Ron, Neville, and myself.. I gave her a sheepish smile while Ron gestured to the group behind us. Crabbe and Goyle were bleeding pretty heavily while Draco was getting to his feet, face red with embarrassment.
"What happened to you three?!" Hermione's voice jumped an octave.
The four of us made a quick trip to the Hospital Wing after that. Madam Pomfrey made quick work of our injuries though gave us all a lecture on fighting. Luckily it didn't take too long because Ron, Hermione, and I managed to catch Harry on his way back to the Gryffindor Common Room. The black haired boy looked windswept and pale.
"We won! You won! We won!" Ron shouted excitedly, thumping Harry on the back. "Neville and I fought Crabbe and Goyle and Lyra gave Malfoy a black eye! She almost broke her thumb punching him but you should have seen it! There's a party in the common room! Fred and George stole some cakes and stuff from the kitchens."
"Nevermind that now." Harry said breathlessly. "Let's find an empty room, wait till you hear this…"
Harry led us to an empty classroom, looking anxious as he shut the door behind us. I hopped onto one of the desks, already feeling exhausted from all the excitement.
"So we were right, it is the Sorcerer's Stone and Snape's trying to force Quirrell to help him get it. He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy- and he said something about Quirrell's hocus pocus- I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy, loads of enchantments, probably, and Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Arts spell that Snape needs to break through-"
"So you mean the Stone's only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?" Hermione interrupted.
"It'll be gone by next Tuesday." Ron groaned and I couldn't help but to agree. Once my godfather set his mind to something… it was only a matter of time before he got it.
Author's note:
Things between Lyra and Draco are starting to boil over! Violence is never the answer but remember, these are 11 year olds who are struggling to communicate. Siblings fight, siblings sometimes get physical. It's not fun but it does happen.
I hope you all are enjoying this! Thanks so much for the follows and favorites! I've been having a blast writing our emotionally stunted mc :)
