Word Count: 3,001.
Warnings: None.
Friday after classes everyone was on their way to the Great Hall for the feast. There was a buzz in the air that we didn't usually see. One that had occurred when the Triwizard Tournament was first announced, but that had been some time ago. I didn't question it, deciding it was best to find out for myself and slowly made my way through the corridors of the castle.
"Lyra!" a voice called through the crowd.
I turned my head to find Mattheo making his way towards me, panting. "What do you want Riddle?" I asked.
"Come with me," he spoke, stopping a couple of paces from me.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"I need to talk to you about something."
I took a quick glance at the Hall, the students filing in and filling up the tables. I watched Pansy begin hitting Draco over the head with a book. I sighed, turning back around the the brown-eyed boy.
"Alright." I told him before following the Slytherin through the school. He led me to the top of the Astronomy Tower.
"Are you finally going to tell me what's been bothering you?" I asked the boy once he had shut the door behind us.
He didn't turn to face me, hand poised on the handle, fist tense.
"Don't go with him." Mattheo whispered.
I watched him, confused. Riddle's body tensed as he spoke and I moved closer. "What?"
"Don't go with the Gryffindor," he spoke again, clearer this time. His voice was strained, as though it took a lot out of him to talk.
I scoffed, relaxing. "You mean Kenneth?"
"Whatever his fucking name it. It doesn't matter."
I nodded, before shaking my head lightly, eyes closed. "So, you ignore me for three months over the summer and then the past however many weeks we've been here and refuse to give me any explanation, and now that someone has asked me on a date, you suddenly care?"
Mattheo turned quickly, facing me with a stern expression. "Don't say that."
"Say what?" I matched his expression. "That I have a date?"
"That I don't care."
Taking a couple of steps forward, Riddle placed a hand on the side of my face, bringing his forehead to lean against mine. I sucked in a breath, instinctively closing my eyes.
"Of course I care, Lyra. Why do think I'm doing what I am?"
"Ignoring me?" I pulled away, leaving him at arm's length.
He watched me with a saddened expression before stepping back. I watched struggle to speak. "Just don't go with him."
"Why?" I asked pleadingly.
"You know why."
"No. I don't." I felt the pleading tone leave my voice as my frustration grew. "I don't know. I have no idea why because you won't tell me. You refuse to be around me for long periods of time and sometimes I find that you can't even look at me."
"That isn't the point of this conversation." His voice got quieter.
"Really?" I scoffed. "Well I think it is exactly the point of this conversation because it is only due to your ignorant attitude that I am going on this date in the first place."
"So, in retaliation to me not finding you as interesting as you want, you're fucking off with some other guy. Because you're pissed at me?" Mattheo's voice turned almost cruel.
"That's not what this is." My voice turned to a whisper.
"Contradicting our own words now, are we? Lying to me again?"
"If you're trying to make me mad at you, it's working." My hands curled into fists at my side.
"No, I'm not trying to –" he cut himself off, his face softening as his gaze turned from me, "but maybe that would make this easier."
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Have fun on your date." Riddle finished the conversation.
I scoffed, heading straight for the door to the Tower. Before I could exit, my hand was grasped tightly, pulling my gaze back to the brown-eyed boy.
"You need to bear with me, Lyra," he all but whispered, tone changing again.
"I am Mattheo, I am." I told him softly, placing my hand on his arm. "But I'm not going to put my life on hold to wait for you."
I pulled my arm from his grasp and quickly left the Tower. He didn't follow.
ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ
When I had finally made my way back down the corridor, I found that the Feast had already begun, and I was incredibly late to it.
Placing a hand on the entrance to the Great Hall, I took a deep breath. There was no way of sneaking in unnoticed.
Deciding that it was better to move quickly, I pushed the doors of the Hall open, my eyes being met with several pairs of eyes as I began walking towards the Slytherin table.
"Ms. Black. Kind of you to join us." Dumbledore's voice echoed through the silent room.
Looking up to the Headmaster, I noticed that there were two strangers sitting at the Teacher's table. One clearly had giant's blood and had her face posed in a permanent sour look and the other looked at me with something I could only describe as hatred. What that was for, I hadn't the foggiest.
Watching the students, I noticed that some were dressed in clothes other than the Hogwarts robes I currently wore. There was a group of girls that had a silk dress laid across their bodies and a matching hat. Their dresses looked blue. Challenging them was a group of boys, wearing heavy coats lined with fur. They must be the other schools. For the Triwizard Tournament.
I faced Dumbledore, giving him a look of fake apology. "Sorry Dumbles, I was caught up in a prior engagement. Please, don't let me disturb your usual rantings." I told the man, strolling to the Slytherin table and seating myself beside Theo.
There was a small chatter amongst the old and new students but I simply sat contempt in my chair, facing the Headmaster. I watched Dumbledore's face tense slightly, but it quickly left, his soft expression returning to the hall.
"What the fuck, Lyra?" Theo asked, my gaze turning to my cousin.
"What?" I asked, whispering.
"Are you trying to give the old man something to kick you out of the school for?" Draco cut in.
"Where were you?" Pansy also asked.
"One, the old man doesn't need a reason to kick me out of the school. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it just because I existed and two," I hesitated, "I lost track of time at the Astronomy Tower."
"He's never had a problem with you before." Blaise offered. "Dumbledore."
I scoffed a laugh. "First year," I started. "The man ignored my protests about how Quirrell was acting suspicious and how I had seen the Professor enchant Potter's broom. Second year, I told him that there was a symbol in the girl's bathroom that matched the one on the walls when Filch's cat was paralyzed. Third Year," I paused, "Well, there wasn't really anything in Third Year apart from the whole werewolf fiasco, but you get my point."
"He didn't believe the ramblings of a crazy Slytherin." Draco told me. "I'm shocked."
"He believed Harry." I replied. "And then proceeded to save him from danger. The only reason he hasn't killed me off yet is because then Harry wouldn't like him. Dumbledore has favourites, let's not pretend he doesn't."
No one went any further on the matter, but Blaise did point something else out. "Look who else is here." The dark-skinned boy pointed to Dumbledore's side where a representative of the Ministry For Magic stood.
"Crouch." I muttered.
Dumbledore rose his wand, waving it over a tall, rectangular brick that stood at the front of the dais. The shape began to morph, the dull grey of the material fading, and a tall goblet being left placed on the ground.
"That was cool." I heard Theo mutter beside me.
"It's a simple spell. I could do it easily." I told him. Theo gave me a tired look before turning back to the man.
"The Goblet of Fire." Dumbledore announced as the top of the structure burst out in a blue flame before settling on yellow.
"Very inventive name." Draco muttered and I found myself smiling slightly at his remark.
"Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this hour on Thursday night." Dumbledore continued solemnly. His tone sounded almost as though he was trying to scare us.
"Do not do so lightly." The Headmaster moved closer to the Goblet. "If chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, the Tri-Wizard Tournament has begun."
ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ
"Is it just me, or was that completely terrifying?" Draco asked as we quickly left the Feast.
Dumbledore had ended his speech not long after the introduction of the Goblet of Fire and it wasn't just us that wanted to leave the Headmaster to ramble to himself.
"Good." I told them, starting to descend down the stairs to the dungeon. I stopped a couple tiles down, looking up to them. "If you're scared, that means that none of you will be stupid enough to try and enter yourselves in the tournament, and therefore I will not be mourning your deaths." I turned away from them, beginning to make my way further down.
"I might." Theo spoke up and I froze, turning to face him. My face was stern.
"You will do nothing of a sort." I made my way back up the stairs.
"And why not?" My cousin challenged.
"You're taking the piss."
"Yes. I am." Theo confirmed. "But you were actually worried there for a second."
Sighing, I shook my head. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Star Wars. Han Solo." Blaise spoke up.
"Why would there be a war in the stars?" Pansy asked.
"And what relevance does this have to the conversation?" Draco added.
Blaise opened his mouth to speak. "None. None at all." I cut him off before he could go further.
If Blaise started to explain the quote, we'd only end up talking about it all night and I was not I the mood for that. Not with the knot that was forming in the pit of my stomach. Something was wrong. I just knew it.
"Ms. Black?" a voice rose, louder than ours.
Looking upwards, I spotted Mr. Crouch stood at the top of the staircase, his eyes firmly fixed on our little group. I put on my most convincing smile while making my way up to him.
"Mr. Crouch." I greeted. "What a surprise? It seems we just keep bumping into each other."
He smiled sternly. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
I turned back to my friends. Pansy, Blaise and Draco were smiling brightly at the Ministry employee, but Theo was looking at me questioningly. I gave him a small nod, to which he took a deep breath.
"Alright kids, let's get back to the Common Room," he spoke, wrapping an arm around Draco's shoulder. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Crouch."
I turned back to the man in front of me, who gave Theo a stern nod as they walked away.
"Is everything alright Mr. Crouch?" I asked him, leaving the stairs and starting my way down the hallway. He followed.
"That was quite an entrance in there Ms. Black, and I believe I must speak to you about it."
"I entered late." Turning back to the man, I gave him a confused look. "I didn't think it would be a matter that concerns the Ministry."
"It isn't. I believe it was rather rude and was curious as to where you were."
I laughed lightly, letting out a sigh. "And you feel that you need to concern yourself with this, why?"
"Because everyone else was in the hall and you were not. What else would there be to do?"
"I think a better question." I stopped walking, facing the Enforcer. "Is did you notice I wasn't there before or after I entered the hall?" He didn't answer. "Even better. What do you think was doing?"
Crouch's jaw tensed. "Causing trouble."
I smiled. "Because in your mind, that is the only thing that you can imagine a Black doing. Causing trouble." I turned away from the man. "But I'm not one to conform to assumptions as I was not causing trouble. I was in the Astronomy Tower and lost track of time."
"And why am I supposed to believe that?"
"You seem to be concerning yourself an awful lot with a single student. If I didn't know any better, I would assume that you dislike me greatly, or possibly the opposite." I turned around, leaning myself against the base of the open arch. "But I highly doubt that."
"I am trying to stop what I believe will become a problem in the future."
"So, your excuse is that you are trying to stop a murderer's daughter from following in her father's footsteps?"
"It is not an excuse Ms. Black. It is the truth of the matter. The Tri-Wizard Tournament must go according to plan –"
"I'm sure it must." I cut the Enforcer off. "But I must assure you Mr. Crouch that I will not do anything to," I paused, "interrupt that plan."
"Black," a shaking voice spoke from my left and I turned to find a dark-haired Gryffindor making his way towards me.
"Mr. Crouch, this is Neville Longbottom, I believe you knew his parents," I introduced them, taking the attention off me as they shook hands. "What can I help you with Neville?" I asked the boy, surprised by his initiation of conversation.
"H-Harry asked me to g-give this to you," he stuttered, handing me a letter.
"Thanks Neville." The boy nodded before quickly walking away.
"A nervous boy." Crouch commented.
"But a smart one. A brave one. And a good kid."
"He seemed scared of you."
"Everyone is scared of me Mr. Crouch." I turned to face the man. "That is the problem with assumptions."
His eyes fixed on mine but he didn't reply. Crouch narrowed his eyes, watching my smile carefully. When he opened his mouth again, there wasn't any time for words to come out.
"Bartemius." Dumbledore's voice echoed through the empty hall. "Would you join me in my office?" Dumbledore turned his gaze to look at me for a moment, before returning it the Enforcer.
"Of course Albus." Crouch's eyes were still on me.
"It was good seeing you again Mr. Crouch." I told the man, weaving around him and slowly walking away.
ᵜᵜᵜᵜᵜ
Lyra,
It has been a long time since there has been somewhere safe enough to write to you and although I feel that my current location will prove to keep me from the public eye, I still must keep this short in fear that it may be intercepted and traced. I cannot reveal where I am.
I heard about the attack on the Quidditch World Cup and was immediately worried for you safety. Are you alright? Do you feel safe? Is there anything you need me to do? Now that I am free, the only thing I find invading my thoughts is worry for you.
I received a letter from Remus, saying that you had asked whether I was safe and out of harm. I am, yes, but there is always a danger. I will not lie to you. Lies have gotten me nowhere in life.
I wish I could tell you more, but I fear it may reveal me and I won't go back to Azkaban. Not since I have found you.
With all my love, Father.
I sighed, rereading the letter several times before finding the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room in front of me. It seemed that although he was safe enough to write, he wasn't safe enough to tell me anything of use. Anything I could help with.
"Disappointing?" a voice spoke, my eyes leaving the paper as I shoved it into my robes.
Theo was leaned against the door to the Common Room, a book in his hand. Transfiguration.
"Are you even reading that?" I asked him, facing the wall of the entrance. "Pureblood." I spoke, but the wall didn't budge.
"That's last week's password." Theo told me. "What was the letter about?"
"It was from my father. He was just telling me that everything was still okay and he hadn't been killed or found yet."
"And what did Mr. Crouch want to talk to you about?"
"He wanted to know why I entered late."
"And you said?"
I turned my head to the side. "That I was in the Astronomy Tower. You know how I get when I'm up there."
"I do indeed." Theo nodded, turning to the wall. "Quidditch."
The wall split in two, moving apart until a tunnel was revealed, the path leading downwards further. Theo began walking.
"Quidditch. Really?" I asked as I followed.
"It's not hard to remember."
"No, it isn't." I agreed. "But it's not very exciting. None of them are."
"They're passwords."
"But why can't they be exciting? Why can't anything be exciting?"
"The Tri-Wizard Tournament." Theo angled his head to look at me for a moment.
"But what's exciting about watching people put their lives in danger for a prize?"
Theo laughed. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were asking for something dangerous and life threatening to happen to you."
"No," I disagreed. "But I could do with a little excitement."
"You're using that word too much."
I gave him an offended look, opening my mouth to spew an insult.
"You're going on a date Sunday," he told me before I could speak.
I stopped for a moment. "Shit. I forgot about that."
"You forgot you had a date?"
"Yes. I forgot." And I had only been talking about it earlier that night.
"He literally asked you two days ago."
"I have a short-term memory, okay?"
We walked in silence for a moment, until Theo started another conversation. "Do you even like this guy?" he asked.
"What?"
"I mean, I've never heard you talk about him, so either I'm a terrible friend and cousin, or you barely know this guy."
"He's from my Advanced Potion's class." I explained. "He's a nice guy, and doesn't want to run away from the daughter of Sirius Black, so I said I'd give it a shot."
"What if he's just messing with you, and that's why he's so nice?"
"It's a possibility." I nodded, watching as we came up on the Common Room. "And if I see any red flags, you know I'm the first person to start running in the opposite direction."