Chapter 6
“I can’t believe she said that.” Caroline screamed in their train cabin, pointing to some gossip at Witch Weekly.
“Yeah, of course” Lyra said while reading a book about healing potions.
Fred was just asleep until the trolley stopped at their door. Caroline and Fred bought their candies, while Lyra just watched. Just understand, that she loved candies, they are a good way to deal with anxiety – something she has a lot of – but she doesn’t have enough money. She barely had enough to buy the school supplies, imagine buying some candy!
Luckily, her friends understood her without needing words, they shared the food, laughed, and had fun together. At that moment, the young witch realized that the Hogwarts letter was the best thing to happen in her life.
When Hogwarts Express arrived at the station, the friends' trio waited until most students left the train. The hallways were almost empty when they left the cabin and got their luggage.
Holding his arm, Lyra was at platform 9 ¾ with Fred, waiting for his parents. She saw a couple coming, and, if the fact that the man was a copy of her best friend worth something, she realized that they were his parents.
They hugged Caroline, promising they would send letters every week, and walked to meet Fred’s parents.
“Mom, Dad!!” Fred ran in the couple’s direction, hugging them.
Lyra watched while the man messed his hair up, and pointed to Lyra. Fred turned to her with her face blushed.
“Come on Ly” he grabbed her hand “I want to introduce you to my parents” They stopped in front of the couple.
Suddenly feeling more anxious – something Lyra thought was impossible – she, shily, waved to them.
“This is my dad, George Weasley” Fred pointed to the man who looked a lot like him “That’s my mom, Angelina Weasley”
The nice woman hugged the girl, so strongly that she was afraid her ribs would be broken, and the man shook her hand and kindly messed her short blonde hair.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Fred is always talking about you” His mom said. Lyra turned to him and saw his face was as red as his hair, she could not help but laugh at the boy’s face.
The way for the Weasley’s house was calm and fun. They did everything to make the girl feel at home. The eleven-year-old girl felt free for the first time. Beyond when she was at Hogwarts, this time was just different, it felt like something she never had…
It felt just like…
Family.
Wake up with the smell of tea and coffee, sometimes a warm bread or cake. Sit at the table and laugh while eating, feel like people want you here. This feeling was completely new, and it was wonderful.
If Lyra had to put on a list one of the things she most loved in the wizarding world, probably quidditch would be in the top 3. She liked the flight classes at Hogwarts, but the broom was a rebel, the kids wouldn’t stop screaming and the professor probably didn’t want to be there anymore. At Fred’s house, it was different.
The day after she arrived, Fred’s dad practically kidnapped the friend’s couple to the backyard and gave which one a broom – that looked way better than the ones offered at school – and Fred gave a big smile, he already knew what was coming.
“Now” George Weasley said with a parental voice “unfortunately they don’t teach quidditch in the first year, and our little Ly grew up with muggles, we can’t let her without a friendly quidditch match in the family” nervously laughing, Lyra appreciate the nickname she received since arrived at the Weasley's house.
And like that, they spent two hours in a very detailed class about quidditch. The rules, the balls, the players, the winners, the losers, the teams – that part was more about them trying to make Lyra cheer for the same team as they do – and finally, after many laughs of Mr. Weasley jokes they played. It was a boys X girls game, and at that moment the blonde girl found out Mrs. Weasley was an excellent and determined player. It was their determination, strategy, and, apparently, Lyra’s natural talent that led the girls’ team to victory, when the eleven-year-old got the golden snitch, after fighting bravely against her best friend.
Looking at the time she spent with her friend and his family, was hard not to feel happy and wanted for the first time.
Now, she was looking at herself in the mirror, trying to make her hair look pretty, the curls were brutal. Lyra could see some differences after Hogwarts, she gained some weight and looked more healthy at all. She was looking alive.
Following Mrs. Weasley’s voice, she went downstairs. All the family was waiting for her in front of a fireplace. When they explained her flu, she was shocked, how could you travel with a fireplace, was a crazy idea like all the wizarding world.
“Now, we're going to the Malfoy Manor” Mrs. Weasley said “Lyra, when you are going say it out loud, and clear.”
Mr. Weasley was the first, to give the example. right after he went Fred, and then was Lyra’s turn. She was nervous, about the new travel method, new place, and new people. Was an anxiety trap.
Taking a deep breath before, she used all her strength to say without stuttering “Malfoy Manor” Lyra felt a warm comfortable sensation, and seconds later, she opened her eyes, seeing Fred and his father in front of her in a totally different house.
After Mrs. Weasley’s arrival, she held her friend’s arm, following the family to the room were everyone was. Five seconds after entering, a woman screamed, and everybody went silent, staring at Lyra…