A Letter Arrives
Spite. Great Aunt Walburga had to be alive purely out of spite. Lyra had grown rather tired, and she was only 11 years old. Her mind was never silent, always filled the voice of Walburga Black. She was tired and lonely. But today she was also stressed. Hogwarts Letters were being delivered today and she could only hope to get hers. If for any reason she didn't get one she would be kicked to the streets.
An unnecessary anxiety to have as Lyra frequently used her magic. Yet it was an anxiety she could not shake. She wanted to make her Great Aunt proud. She wanted to make her ancestors proud. She needed everyone to be proud of her and she needed them to respect her. So here she sat, watching the clock slowly tick on without another care in the world.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
It continued on throughout the morning. Lyra was desperate to hide her worry and desperate to get what she truly wanted. Both seemed impossible in the moment. As the afternoon began to take over the day, Kreacher slipped a Calming Draught into Lyra's tea. She would have to get him something in thanks.
Woosh. Pop!
"Mistress, the post has arrived," said the old elf, handing her a pile of letters. Lyra's attention snapped over to where Lady Walburga was seated. The seconds dragged as Walburga shuffled through the letters. Finally, the elderly witch paused and a small smile graced her face.
"Lyra," she spoke, "this is for you." She held the letter in her now outstretched arm. The young girl could barely contain herself as she went to collect it. Opening it quickly. Slow down, foolish girl. She slowed her movements, carefully unfolding the letter she had been waiting for. Her Great Aunt was watching her, waiting for her to open the letter.
"I have been accepted, Great Aunt Walburga. The list of supplies seems rather... underwhelming."
"Underwhelming?" Walburga asked, her interested had been piqued.
"Well... I don't quite know how to put it into words." Lyra handed the list to the elderly woman. The books alone were simplistic and truly pathetic. The woman shook her head as she read the book list.
"Albus Dumbledore is truly leading our kind to a weak future. You will simply have to pursue extra studies to ensure you are not crippled by this man's blind ideals."
Lyra nodded. She knew Professor Dumbledore was not a man to be trusted. It had nothing to do with the faction he was 'aligned' with. He was a man who had been given too much power. Power that corrupted his mind and made him feel invincible. Dumbledore decided that anything that didn't preach for the Light Faction needed to be destroyed but that went against nature itself. Lady Walburga had explained it during one of her moments of true clarity.
Lyra found it interesting how one man could destroy so much. How could one man who claimed to be all-knowing, truly know so little? That and his fashion taste was rather horrendous from what she heard.
...
Diagon Alley was unfortunately bright. Too many people as well. Lyra was with her Aunt Narcissa and Cousin Draco for this particular outing. Lady Walburga hadn't been feeling well, a regular occurrence in recent months. The young girl hoped that this trip would be over quickly. She had enough money for her school supplies and then some.