STARING AT the box of letters in front of her Lyra didn't know whether she was allowed to open them or if it was just a letter that was only for her mother's eyes. It felt wrong but Lyra couldn't help but feel like this was the only way to truly know how her mother had felt all these years. The only way she was going to find out was to just open one of the letters.
Taking a deep breath Lyra ran her hand across the old parchment, lifting up the flap of the envelope to see a small letter inside. Her hands were shaking at the thought of the contents of the letter. However, she didn't get the chance to read it as the door of her room flew open. Jumping, Lyra got to her feet with her wand drawn. "Woah!" George said raising his hands up. Letting out a breath, Lyra placed her wand on the bed while rolling her eyes.
"You can't just barge your way in guys," Lyra said shaking her head.
"Merry Christmas!" The two of them shouted as they brought Lyra into a group hug. Lyra laughed, squeezing her friend's back. It was a bittersweet moment but Lyra was determined not to bring the mood down.
"Let's head downstairs, Mum is waiting for us!" George exclaimed, halfway out the door. Lyra gave a sad smile as she grabbed her dressing gown pushing her arms through the sleeves.
"You alright?" Fred asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Never better." Lyra smiled widely as she took hold of Fred's hand dragging him out of her room. Fred couldn't help but worry about Lyra and made sure that he kept an eye on her.
The three of them were the last to join everyone in the living room. Lyra looked over to Sirius who gave her a warm smile. She was nervous but she knew Sirius was kind-hearted and fiercely loyal to those he cared about. Leaving Fred and George to their mother Lyra walked over to Harry and Sirius. "Merry Christmas." She said giving Harry a brief hug before halting in front of Sirius. She didn't really know what to do now that their relationship had changed. However, Sirius didn't hesitate and wrapped her in a warm hug. She was still for a moment before smiling and returning the hug.
"Merry Christmas Lyra." He said, pulling away and ruffling her hair. Harry looked between the two of them with a very confused look.
"Did I miss something?" He asked making Lyra laugh and Sirius chuckle.
"He's my uncle," Lyra said pointing to Sirius.
"Wait, since when?" He continued, even more confused.
"Well, technically since I was born but we only found out a couple of days ago." Lyra quipped, tapping Harry's shoulder.
"Don't tease him," Sirius said with an amused smile. Lyra smiled, giving Harry a tight side hug. It was weird but Lyra felt as though she had a bit of kinship with Harry as they both have lost their parents and now have a connection to them within Sirius.
Sirius smiled as he watched Lyra and Harry mess with each other. He was happy to have his own little family with Lyra and Harry. He knew that the three of them needed this kind of relationship in their lives. Within tragedy comes happiness.
After everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas, Mrs. Weasley announced that she was going to St. Mungo's to visit her husband and that if anyone wanted to come they'd have to get dressed and ready by ten o'clock. Lyra looked over to Sirius who nodded with a smile and she raced up to her room and got changed. She pulled on some black jeans with the Christmas jumper that Mrs. Weasley had made for her the previous year. It was almost tradition to wear the itchy jumper. She also slipped on some combat boots so her feet wouldn't get cold in the snow.
Running back down the stairs with a bag slung over her shoulder Lyra meets up with Fred and George who were waiting for her. " Ready to go?" They asked her making her shudder.
"You know how much I hate that twin thing you guys do," Lyra said shaking her head. They both smiled giving each other a high-five. Lyra rolled her eyes as she looked over to the others who were getting their things ready for their small celebration at St Mungo's.
Waving goodbye to Sirius, Lyra took Fred's hand and they disapparated from 12 Grimmauld Place.
Arriving in the hospital lobby the Weasley's, Lyra, Harry and Hermione followed Mrs. Weasley to her husband's room. They all squeezed into the small room and handed out all the presents opening them up one by one. Lyra opened Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's first revealing a hand-knitted scarf with the letter L and house colours at the ends of it. Lyra looked around the room as everyone unwrapped their hand-knitted scarves making her smile. She put the scarf around her neck and pulled out her presents for her friends. She was a little embarrassed but she handed out each present wishing everyone a Happy Christmas. She waited nervously as everyone started opening their present from her.
Fred and George both smiled as they each pulled out a potion. Fred, the burn-healing potion, and George, the hair-raising potion. Lyra knew that they would make good use of both potions. "You have no idea what you've done Lyra," Fred said with a wicked smile.
"I'm sure I'll regret giving you that hair-raising potion, but the school needs a bit of fun since Umbridge took over," Lyra smirked. Fred and George gave her a group hug before they huddled together to make some sort of plan.
She then moved over to Ron who was a little taken aback by the new pair of quidditch gloves that Lyra had gotten him. He smiled giving her a side hug. "How did you know that i needed these?" He asked.
"I may not know everything about Quidditch but I do know what old, worn-out gloves look like. Plus, if I'm going to be your teammate I definitely need you at your best." Lyra smiled, ruffling his hair, making him laugh as he tried to push her away.
Hermione was next pulling out a small pocket watch. She looked a little confused at first before Lyra walked up next to her. "I've noticed you've been to multiple classes, hopefully, this can help you keep track of your classes," Lyra said, placing her hand on her friend's shoulder. Hermione was taken surprised but smiled knowing that Lyra was the only one she knew who could figure out her secret.
"Thanks, Lyra," Hermione said, pocketing the watch and giving her a hug. Lyra smiled as she pulled away from her friend. Harry was standing by the door as we watched all of his friends and just as Lyra noticed him he walked over and handed her a small present. Smiling, she opened the small box revealing a runes dictionary. Lyra's eyes widened as she pulled out the book and started flicking through the pages.
"Harry, this is too much." She said, pulling him into a tight hug. "How did you know that I was looking for this?" She asked.
"I just thought you might need this." He said pulling away. "I know that you want to be a curse-breaker so I thought this might be useful."
"This is amazing Harry." She continued pulling him in for another quick hug. She then pulled out her own present and handed it over. He opened the package up revealing a Bulgaria quidditch team shirt along with a beanie. He looked up at Lyra with a huge smile. Lyra picked up the beanie and put it on his head pulling it down using the tassels attached to the ends. They both laughed as it cover his eyes. He lifted the front so he could see before giving Lyra another hug. "I know the world cup isn't being played this year but I know that you like Bulgaria." She said, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Lyra, this is awesome." He reassured, putting his arm around her shoulders. Harry gushed over his new shirt as he ran over to Ron who yelled enviously with a smile on his face. Ginny looked over to her with a wide smile before walking over. She handed over her present to Lyra after wishing her a merry Christmas. Opening the present Lyra was left speechless. Ginny had a wide smile on her face as Lyra picked up the arm guards and goggles. It was basically a given at this point, Lyra was going to try out for the quidditch team when she went back to school.
"This is too much Ginny, I'm not even part of the team," Lyra said as her cheeks flared up.
"This will only encourage you to work hard and get in," Ginny said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Plus my brothers and I will help train you."
"I guess Christmas break won't be so relaxing." Lyra laughed. However, she knew that the distraction would be good for her. Lyra then passed over her present to Ginny and waited for her to open it with anticipation. Ripping open the wrapping paper, Ginny's mouth opened in surprise.
"How did you get this?" Ginny asked looking up at Lyra. Lyra shrugged her shoulders.
"I have my ways," Lyra said, letting go of the breath she had been holding. She had spent so much time trying to find Beating the Bludgers. She had gone to so many bookstores until she finally found it through a mutual friend of her mother's. She had been holding onto the book for a few weeks.
"This is so cool, Ron is going to be so jealous." Ginny smiled looking over to her brother who looked over when his name was mentioned. Ginny held up the book shaking it in his face, making his eyes widen. He basically ran over taking the book from her hands. He was rendered speechless and he flipped through the book. Harry came over standing next to Lyra watching his friend have a mental breakdown over a quidditch book.
"Is he alright?" Harry asked.
"I think he's finally lost his marbles." Lyra laughed. That was when Bill had snuck into the room to wish his family a quick Happy Christmas. He gave everyone a hug including Lyra and Hermione. Lyra loved talking with Bill because he was in the field of work that she wanted to get into. She loved hearing his exhibition stories, especially when he was in Egypt. She was always interested in the pyramids and their tombs and the treasure that was hidden inside. She also liked researching what the muggles thought about the ancient tombs and the hieroglyphics. When she first met Bill, Lyra had been extremely nervous because she had looked up to Bill for a long time. However, she would never admit to him that he was the reason she wanted to become a curse breaker. "Hi, Bill." She said shyly.
"My little protege, how are you?" He asked putting his arm around her shoulders. Her cheeks flared at the attention before she shook her head and gave him a small smile.
"I'm okay." She said, not able to meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry about your mum." He comforted, rubbing her upper arm with his hand.
"Thanks," She said looking down at her feet.
"Well, I'm back at the dig site after Christmas so hopefully during Easter, I can share a few more stories." He said trying to lighten the mood. Lyra smiled at the thought. She was glad to have the Weasley's support now that her mother had passed away.
After everyone caught up with Bill they all gathered around the hospital bed and wished Mr. and Mrs. Weasley a happy Christmas before handing them their gifts. Lyra was a bit nervous because she owed the Weasley's so much since her mother's illness and her eventual death. She knew deep down that they would have liked anything but she wanted to make this year a little special. With shaking hands Lyra handed over the box to the Weasley parents. They looked at each other before smiling at Lyra and opening the box. Inside was an eagle-feathered quill, a pot of ink, and some new parchment. Lyra knew that it was hard for the Weasley's to get anything new and she wanted to show how much she appreciated both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley by getting them a new quill set. Both of them smiled softly before placing the box aside and giving Lyra a hug. "Thank you, dear." Mrs. Weasley said softly.
"I just wanted to get you something nice," Lyra said. "After everything that you've done for me." She smiled as she wrapped Mrs. Weasley in a warm hug and placed a hand on Mr. Weasley's shoulder after being let go of by Mrs. Weasley.
After Lyra had given all of her gifts she fell to the back of the room and leaned against the wall as she watched her friends giving gifts and celebrating. She could see Mr. Weasley getting tired as he tried to keep himself awake so Lyra walked over to George bumping his shoulder. "I think your dad is tired, maybe some of us should head back," Lyra suggested. George looked over to see his dad nodding off but waking himself back up only for his eye to droop moments later. George nodded and brought over Fred and Ginny. Lyra saw Ron, Harry and Hermione leave the room as they followed someone that looked like Neville. Lyra frowned and made a note to ask them what he was doing at the hospital.
The four of them left the hospital and arrived back at 12 Grimmauld Place just after one o'clock. Walking into the house Lyra heard a loud bang coming from upstairs. She looked over to Fred and George who mirrored her worried expression. "Sirius?" She called as she made her way into the house. That's when she heard another thud. Picking up her pace she went up the stairs and peeked around the corner to see Sirius standing over Kreacher. Her eyes widened at the look of anger on Sirius's face. "Sirius?" She said quietly. He looked up and his face softened.
"Lyra?" He called, making her eyes look over to him. Kreacher then scrambled to his feet and walked into the bathroom closing the door. "I was just disciplining him." Lyra nodded, however there was a bit of conflict about Kreacher's treatment. She wished there was a better way of keeping him in line without using violence. It just showed Lyra just how combative the Black family was. Lyra knew that there was always going to be an ugly side but it was hard to confront when it was in front of her.
Frowning, Lyra went back down the stairs and into the sitting room. She curled up on the sofa hugging a pillow. Fred and George joined her on the sofa sitting on each side of her. They sat together in silence as Lyra processed when she had seen. The two brothers looked between each other sharing a concerned look. "Is everything alright Lyra?" George asked.
"Uh, yeah." Lyra said before Sirius poked his head out from the top of the stairs.
"Lyra, I want to show you something." Sirius said, walking back up the stairs. Lyra took a deep breath before standing up and throwing down the pillow between the two brothers.
"I'll be back." She said before following her uncle up the stairs.