Chapter 10
Lyra:
After learning her father was an Animagus, Lyra became determined to transform herself before starting Hogwarts. Sirius tried to convince her to wait a little longer, but she threatened to attempt the transformation on her own during the school year if he didn’t help her beforehand.
So, at age 10, Lyra became an Animagus. Her animal form was different from her Patronus, which both surprised and intrigued the few who knew. Arthurus pointed out that her Patronus, a butterfly, symbolized change, metamorphosis, and transformation, so it made sense for her to embody more than one form. She transformed into a snow leopard with white fur on her belly, gray on her back, black spots, and a long, bushy tail.
Sirius tried to nickname her “Furball” out of spite—he was a dog person, and having a feline daughter bruised his ego a little. Eventually, though, they agreed on “Gray” (because with her, nothing was black and white). Not that Lyra believed her dad wouldn’t still call her "Furball" occasionally, especially to tease her.
Around the same time, after studying books on souls that they had been gathering secretly in the library, Lyra and Sirius decided it was time to talk to Harry about his scar. They didn’t want to keep him in the dark anymore, and soon they'd need to run tests on his scar to figure out how to handle it. For now, father and daughter had been practicing by experimenting on the souls of random animals they came across—not harmful, but enough for some practice (though a few animals had died, so they were relieved to have been working on rats, which were intended as food for Harry’s new pet snake. He had received the snake for his birthday, apparently able to speak to it, which Sirius suspected was a side effect of Voldemort’s soul fragment inside him, as the Dark Lord was known to have this ability). This would let them examine Harry’s scar without risking hurting him by mistake.
They also needed to explain everything so they could assess the integrity of the protections isolating the parasite from Harry’s body. It had been a while, and Lyra voiced her concern that the soul fragment might try to weaken these barriers over time. This worry arose particularly after they experimented with a cursed locket (which the curse-breaker had been unable to solve) that also contained a soul fragment. Now, they knew for sure it was Voldemort’s. The fragment fought back, attempting to influence the thoughts of those who wore it.
Harry was shocked and scared to learn about the “parasite.” He was somewhat reassured when Sirius explained that they were looking for a way to remove and destroy the soul fragment without harming him. They emphasized the importance of keeping this a secret, as there were people who might want to kill Harry out of fear or to try bringing Voldemort back. That day also marked the start of Harry and the other children’s Occlumency lessons in their wandless magic training.
Lyra trusted the seals guarding both her mind and Harry’s, but protections can never be too secure, so she deactivated Harry’s mental shields before Occlumency lessons to test his defenses (she was also practicing Legilimency, though she’d rather not use this kind of magic on anyone outside the lessons; it would be unpleasant). Progress was slow, as young children tend to lack the patience for meditation and the focus needed for building mental shields and memory palaces.
They pressed on, steadily.
Lyra felt more like a cheat than usual when she realized her techniques for protecting her mind from Yamanaka’s mind-walking were effective against magical mental intrusion as well. Her memory palaces had been preserved from her past life since they were part of the Realm of Ideas, housing her memories from before. This realm was deeply connected to the soul, so it was no surprise her palace remained intact, which she confirmed when testing her defenses.
The year leading up to her 11th birthday, when she received her Hogwarts letter, followed a similar rhythm. The kids adapted to their study schedules and soon excelled in their respective classes, taking subjects beyond what most kids would normally study.
It took several months before the kids finally introduced Hermione to magic, explaining the strange things happening around her (accidental magic). She only believed it after they demonstrated some basic wandless magic, which they had been practicing with ease.
But what really convinced her was a trip to Diagon Alley for ice cream.
Hermione managed to convince her parents (who didn’t yet know about her magic) to let her spend her afternoons with the Black family. The older family members were scandalized by the Muggle-born’s presence, though they kept quiet, and classes were held exclusively at Grimmauld Place. Hermione told her parents she was in a study group with her friends (not entirely a lie), using that as a cover to learn more about the magical world.
Although she was initially behind in terms of magical knowledge, her strong work ethic helped her quickly catch up. In fact, she dove deeper than her friends often did. She also loved Lyra’s unique approach to teaching magical history, listing the benefits of this style of learning.
With the extra classes that came with discovering magic, Hermione went through a brief phase of overloading herself with studies. Her parents and friends eventually stepped in to help her find a better balance. She learned to ease up on her studies, though she still craved knowledge. With friends and a busy routine filling most of her time, books no longer held the same obsessive grip they once did.
Shortly before Lyra received her Hogwarts letter, Hermione realized she would receive hers the following year (though she’d start later due to her September birthday; Lyra was almost certain Hermione could petition to start early, but then she would have to go without her new friends). That was when Hermione finally decided to tell her parents about her magic. She even had some control over wandless magic to show them, but they needed a trip to Diagon Alley to be convinced it wasn’t just a trick.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger met Sirius and saw the newly renovated Grimmauld Place. They were reassured by Hermione, who explained that her choice to keep it a secret was her own. Sirius, aware of how personal relationships could vary, especially as he himself had endured abusive parents, had not pressured Hermione and wanted to ensure her safety. After this meeting, the Grangers received some introductory books and an offer of lessons on the magical world. They were also informed that Hermione would get her Hogwarts letter on her 11th birthday, and they could plan accordingly if they decided to enroll her. While there were other schools, such as Beauxbatons (France), Durmstrang (Scandinavia), and Koldovstoretz (Russia), as well as Ilvermorny (USA), Uagadou (Africa), Mahoutokoro (Japan), and Castelobruxo (Brazil), most required learning a new language for attendance.
With the exception of Ilvermorny, Hermione would need to learn a new language, as classes would be taught in the native language of each region. The Grangers preferred to stay in the UK, as while they weren’t struggling financially, the costs of frequent travel and tuition at overseas schools weren’t feasible. Staying close also meant they could more easily reach her if needed.
With this, the Grangers made their first magical family purchase: an owl, named Athena, for communicating with Hermione at Hogwarts. Buying it early gave them time to adjust to having a magical pet at home.
There was something about Lyra that she preferred not to mention. It wasn’t exactly a flaw, though it wasn’t a major virtue either.
Lyra had obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD.
She first realized this as a teenager in her past life while reading a psychology book. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing once she understood that it was what made her obsessed with perfecting everything, working all hours, and remaining inflexible about her goals. She didn’t care about what was politically correct or achievable; she was willing to steamroll over anything to make things right. This had been useful to Konoha, where she’d been hailed as a great leader in a time when people were willing to become monsters to keep their loyalty or ideals. Ryuna, on the other hand, was willing to do anything to stay true to herself. Live without shame, die without regrets. She’d protected Naruto because he was a child, and anyone willing to harm a child, no matter how noble their reasons, wasn’t someone she could follow with pride. Her OCD had made her a good leader, but she was never blind to the fact that, in her own way, she’d also been a tyrant.
Now, at ten years old (just days before her birthday), her OCD had brought her to HMP Brixton prison (which had both male and female wards) to visit Mr. and Mrs. Dursley.
Lyra needed closure. One way or another.
Preferably before her father realized she hadn’t gone to a friend’s house as she’d said she would. He would never have let her visit a prison alone, but Lyra needed to close this chapter.
“So, who are you, girl?” Petunia asked, putting on that fake sweet voice as though still trying to convince the neighbors she was perfectly normal. She’d just sat down across from Lyra in the visitor area, where inmates with good behavior could meet their visitors. All around them, other prisoners spoke with their own visitors, some of whom were small children (absolutely perfect for what Lyra had planned).
“Lyra Black. James and Lily Potter were my godparents,” Lyra answered politely and saw, without surprise, Petunia’s face tighten. She clearly recognized the surname. “I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind.”
“And what would someone like you… have to ask me?” Her tone turned venomous, as if she were about to hiss, Freak. Lyra already sensed how this visit was going to turn out.
Not that it was a surprise; she just needed to be sure.
“Do you regret how you treated my brother?”
“Your brother?” Petunia wrinkled her nose, looking disgusted.
“Harry Potter.”
“The little freak still haunts me, even after all the misfortune he’s brought into my life,” the woman hissed in low, angry tones. Lyra finally had her answer.
“Seems the answer is no.” She nodded once, resigned, then raised her voice just enough to be heard by nearby tables without seeming like she was shouting. Her eyes welled up as she started, “How could you do that to him? He was just a child! You tortured a child and locked him in a cupboard because you were jealous of your dead sister, and you don’t even regret it!”
Petunia’s eyes widened, and she frantically gestured for Lyra to lower her voice, glancing nervously around as she stammered excuses to the neighbors about how Lyra was crazy. But that wasn’t going to be enough.
In Konoha, if you committed treason, hurt a child (which, in Ryuna’s humble opinion, was a form of betrayal—a betrayal of the Will of Fire), committed rape, or any other serious crime, you wouldn’t just be sent to prison. In prison, you got a bed and three meals a day. How could Lyra allow Petunia to have more comfort in prison than Harry had had at home? No, dear Aunt Petunia needed to suffer to understand the price of the pain she’d inflicted.
People only truly understand each other when they feel the same pain.
Lyra hadn’t thought of Nagato since… Well, she never thought of Nagato, actually. Maybe she was willing to apply this philosophy to a few people, but she certainly wasn’t about to create a weapon of mass destruction to spread pain. Forget Pain. Lyra wasn’t the type to tolerate collateral damage. If a single child had to die because of her actions or plans, then it wasn’t a course she’d ever follow, regardless of the benefits. To hell with the world; she’d watch it all burn before becoming someone she’d be ashamed of.
The thing was, Ryuna had lived her whole life in a place where many crimes were punished by death. Some people didn’t even get a trial, depending on their rank in the Village and the crime committed. Those who were imprisoned had to work in the quarries to earn food and a bed. It was horrible, no doubt, but it made people afraid to commit crimes. Lyra thought the punishments in this world were more lenient, likely because war was an exception rather than the rule as it had been in her old life. This wasn’t a bad thing, but her mind couldn’t stop repeating over and over again that it wasn’t enough. They needed to fear the idea of committing a crime, fear the punishment that would follow.
Lyra would give them a reason to fear. When she was done, Petunia would never step out of line again.
“Y-you hit him with a hot frying pan because he couldn’t cook your breakfast at four years old!” Lyra shouted, tears streaming down her face more dramatically. “He still has a scar on his forehead! What kind of person takes pleasure in torturing children?” She cried harder, standing with a trembling body. “I-I came here hoping you’d changed your mind… b-but I guess you were just a terrible person all along… g-goodbye, Aunt Petunia…”
Lyra continued sobbing as she left, but made sure to peek through her tears long enough to see the reactions of the other prisoners. They didn’t look happy, and those with children seemed to move protectively between Petunia and their kids.
Petunia would find out the hard way what happened to child abusers in prison.
Now, Lyra would visit Vernon.
As the research on Horcruxes advanced—recently discovering the name but with the ritual and side effects matching what Sirius knew about Voldemort—Lyra and Sirius studied soul magic as extensively as they could without actually creating a Horcrux themselves. Lyra began experimenting with modifications to soul magic. Nothing as invasive or destructive as the ritual Voldemort used in his futile (and obviously flawed) attempt at immortality, but still intriguing.
One of Lyra's breakthroughs was casting a Patronus using someone else’s energy by manipulating a small fragment of their soul to locate that piece of happiness. She created a Patronus Alius (as the spell was called) from her father, and he smiled warmly as he watched the brilliant form of a dog leap around the room. Later, he told her that the spell allowed him to recall his happiest memories (memories he’d lost after so much time with Dementors) and let them wash over him, lightening his spirit.
It wasn’t a spell with many practical uses, as the soul fragment left behind through reincarnations was too small to bring a body back to life. That was why it wasn’t possible to truly resurrect the dead. Not really (even the Edo Tensei wasn't permanent, as it drew on natural energy, which would eventually deplete and deactivate it. The soul fragment used to reanimate the body was more like a memory of what once was, not a living soul capable of change and growth. However, Tobirama had managed to make the Reanimated more "human" than magic typically could, as opposed to Inferi-like attempts).
Lyra also studied Inferi. Though she refused to create one, she had no qualms about studying the process and even tested some steps of the ritual for summoning a soul. She never connected a soul to anything, but she did learn that she could influence the summoned soul, like when she used her Patronus Alius to invoke a light-animal from the Patronus of someone long deceased. It was fascinating, and she was sure she could discover more applications of the Inferius ritual with time—and with her father’s approval.
She was aware that she’d only made such progress because her father allowed her a certain degree of experimental freedom, and, as he had become the adult in charge (Arthurus being too old to keep up with the younger ones), no one questioned the wisdom of letting a child of almost eleven experiment with soul magic and dark magic. Sirius had never been the most responsible person, and his time with Dementors had certainly done little for his sense of judgment.
Lyra had many other ideas for soul-magic projects that she could safely pursue. She believed that the more she knew about a subject, the more prepared she would be to handle anything that came up in that field. So, the best way to deal with the Horcrux attached to Harry was to know soul magic so well that she could alter it at will.
Of course, that would take time. A lot of time.
When her Hogwarts letter arrived, so did a visit to Diagon Alley for supplies and her own wand, though Lyra had no intention of giving up her hidden wands—they were very useful.
In Ollivander's wand shop, the wandmaker Ollivander had Lyra test several wands, each with its own unique reaction. Some wands rejected her violently, while others simply refused to work. The process as a whole made Lyra extremely curious about wands, which seemed to have a degree of consciousness. According to Ollivander, it was extremely rare for two wands to share a magical core from the same animal, and when this happened, the wands became siblings. Lyra already planned to buy books about wandmaking and conduct tests once she returned from Hogwarts next year. With any luck, she’d have time to acquire some magical cores to experiment with.
After many unsuccessful attempts, Ollivander went to the back of the shop and returned with an old, faded box containing a dark, smooth wand with a reddish hue. Lyra knew it was the one even before she touched it. She was so focused on the wand that she didn’t notice the older man’s tension. The wand’s reaction was positive, emitting a gentle glow at the tip and giving her a warm sensation.
Her wand, Ollivander explained, was made of Red Oak (suited to wizards with an explosive temper, although Lyra considered herself calm; it was a good wand, fast, for duels) and dragon heartstring (remaining loyal to anyone who conquered it), 23 cm, unyielding (no surprise, it perfectly reflected Lyra’s personality). Sirius was delighted with the wand, and they left the shop with Ollivander muttering something like, “That temperamental dragon always injured the children who tried to take her heartstring; this girl was the first not to get burned. Interesting,” as he wandered off, looking distracted.
Lyra, her father, brother, and friends regrouped at the ice cream shop, where everyone had waited for them before resuming their shopping (wand selection was a personal affair, her father explained, better without a crowd). Soon, her books, supplies, and owl, Milk and Cinnamon (nicknamed Minna), were purchased, and they all returned to the family estate via Floo powder.
The train ride to Hogwarts was spent with Lyra and the Weasleys sharing a compartment. The twins were in their first year, just like her, but Percy was in his third, Charlie in his fifth, and Bill in his seventh and final year. The two older ones barely stayed with them before they had to leave for their prefect duties.
Lyra and the twins were discussing prank ideas and funny inventions. This immediately prompted Percy to speak against breaking the rules, but Lyra argued that they wouldn’t target random students—just ensure that no one got bullied, as they would guarantee retribution to anyone who dared.
The twins liked the idea, as they didn’t want to be bullies either. They decided to create a new line of spells, potions, and more, focusing solely on self-defense. Lyra was the trio's rune expert, and thanks to her, many of their creations were more complex than they would be with just spells, as too many spells in one object could interfere with each other.
Lyra had finally studied enough runes to establish a link between language and either magic or chakra. She wanted to understand why ancient runes were necessary instead of the Latin alphabet. Why did spells have to be in Latin instead of English? It didn’t make sense, since the language itself wasn’t magical—after all, people (even wizards) could speak Latin without casting spells accidentally. It wasn’t the language itself that was magical, but rather the complexity and unfamiliarity that made it “special” in people’s minds. You wouldn’t ask for directions to the restroom in Latin, for example. This was the same principle, she realized, as fuinjutsu from her past life. It made her wonder if this was why it was so easy to adapt her seals for Harry years ago. Japanese was her Latin—a complex language she rarely used anymore, so the meaning of the words hadn’t worn out. She’d need to explore this more, but hopefully, she could reuse her old seals for magic rather than chakra. Maybe she could even cast spells in Japanese instead of Latin…
Once it was established between her and the twins that their work was a legitimate study of various branches of magic—such as creating magical objects, all in good spirit and with good intentions—Percy didn’t have much to complain about. The twins were thrilled, and the older brother even gave some advice on how they should deal with bullying cases, if they encountered any, to ensure the victim didn’t face further issues due to their interference. Percy’s experience from his years at Hogwarts was welcomed, and the prankster trio began planning different scenarios.
They disembarked and took a small boat with a girl named Concordia Pickering, who said they could call her Cordia. Lyra kept her close since she didn’t know any other girls at school, and it would be nice to have a friend, even if they weren’t in the same House.
The first glimpse of Dumbledore reminded her that this school was enemy territory. That man was the kind who would kidnap a child and place them in a deliberately dangerous place if it suited his interests. She wondered how hard it would be to ruin the good Headmaster's image in the years to come…
The Sorting was interesting, and Lyra began forming theories on how the hat worked and what factors were considered in deciding the most suitable House. Lyra thought it might have to do with dominant personality traits, but personalities aren’t that easily qualified—there were too many variables. It wasn’t impossible, but if the hat was truly sentient, intelligent, and had been around as long as it seemed, it would have recognized this method's flaws by now and found another. Perhaps it wasn’t personality but priorities?
Those who wanted to do the right thing, even at a personal cost, who were heroic, would be placed in Gryffindor.
Those who were loyal, whether to someone or an idea, willing to do anything for it, would be in Hufflepuff.
Those who craved knowledge, who were driven to satisfy their curiosity, regardless of consequences, who crafted plans and awaited results, would be in Ravenclaw.
Finally, those who were cunning, always finding a way to reach their goal, to achieve their ambition, would be in Slytherin.
It wasn’t that Slytherins couldn’t be heroic like Gryffindors or that Hufflepuffs couldn’t have Ravenclaw’s cold calculation. It was more that if faced with a dilemma, at a crossroads where they had to choose one path—achieve a goal, gain knowledge (since knowledge is power, after all), maintain loyalty, or do the right thing—the answer to that question would decide to which House they belonged.
At least that was her theory. She deactivated her runes just in case, as it would be strange if the hat couldn’t select her at all.
Black was near the beginning of the list, and Lyra soon found herself sitting on the stool with the hat on her head.
“Well, well, well. An ancient mind, I see,” the hat spoke in her mind, intrigued. “Your reasoning could place you in Ravenclaw, yet I see so much cunning here… no, no, but no ambition. That is rare. I don’t think Slytherin would be right for someone without ambition, though I believe you would thrive there… You certainly have courage and a willingness to sacrifice if necessary, so Gryffindor would be as good an option as any. And such loyalty to so many things, like your Will of Fire… What a difficult choice. Tell me, where would you like to be? Your reasoning about my sorting methods is certainly interesting.”
Lyra listened, curious, to the hat’s voice in her mind. Could it hear all her thoughts? Could it see her memories?
“I don’t mind,” she admitted. “Where I am won’t change who I am, so it doesn’t make any difference.”
The hat began to chuckle in her head.
“The choice is easy then… Hufflepuff.”
“Oh, why?”
“Because you are loyal to yourself, to your principles, and you’re not willing to compromise on that,” it explained just before the hat was lifted from her head.
Lyra stood up and walked to the Hufflepuff table, where people clapped somewhat hesitantly, and she sat down. Her cousin Tonks sat beside her, and the two chatted a bit about what had happened since their last meeting as the other students were sorted.
The twins were both sorted into Gryffindor along with their older brothers. Lyra waved at them, and they enthusiastically waved back.
With the first years gathered, Tonks, a fourth-year, began explaining small things about the school that the students asked about, such as the enchanted ceiling in the dining hall and the giant squid in the Black Lake. There was even a joke that the lake belonged to the Black family and was given to Hogwarts when Phineas Black was Headmaster. Total nonsense, but it was funny, so Lyra didn’t deny it.
In the dormitory, Lyra shared a room with a girl named Hayley Perks, or just Halie, along with two other girls who seemed more the gossiping type. Nothing against gossip, but hadn’t they just met? What could they possibly have to gossip about?
She and Halie took neighboring beds, with Lyra taking the one at the end. She was secretly glad for her ninja training, as it meant she wouldn’t have too much trouble sneaking in and out, even if her roommates were light sleepers—though she doubted they were. Lyra could probably walk out in tap shoes and still not be noticed.
Not that she planned on doing that anytime soon, but it was good to be prepared. Besides, if a threat arose, Lyra was the most suited to handle it before anyone got hurt.
For now, though, Lyra would sleep, as tomorrow she’d have her first class.