Butterfly Fly Away
1972: Butterfly fly away.
Caterpillar in the tree
How you wonder who you'll be
Cant go far but you can always dream
Wish you may and wish you might
Don't you worry hold in tight
I promise you there will come a day
Butterfly fly away
Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away
Flap your wings now you can't stay
Take those dreams and make them all come true
July
Summer was somehow both Lyra’s favourite and least favourite season. She adored spending time with Andromeda, Narcissa, and her cousins under the sun at the manner, but she loathed having to deal with the criticism of her mother, aunt and uncle, and now, Bellatrix as well. However, this summer was off to a particularly good start, Andromeda had graduated and the family held a dinner in her honour, Narcissa was gunning for head girl, and Bellatrix was in a surprisingly happy mood. One of Lyra’s favourite days was coming up this weekend too, the Black family summer gala. The gala typically consisted of pretty dresses, her favourite sweets, and a sleepover, with Sirius and Regulus, due to the fact they had never been old enough to go before.
Considering Andromeda was no longer in school, all her mother could talk about was the potential marriage offers she might receive, and all the eligible men she had invited. Andromeda cast her mother half hearted smiles that did not reach her eyes every time the topic was brought up, while Narcissa suggested the best ways to find her perfect pureblood, which Lyra found odd since she thought Cissa knew Andromeda was with Ted Tonks.
The Friday prior to the gala was a gorgeous sunny day, which found the three sisters reading Little Women down by the creek of their home.
“I never wanted to go away, and the hard part now is leaving you all. I’m not afraid, but it seems as if I should be homesick for you even in heaven.” read Andromeda to her sisters, sighing she closed the book.
“I suppose I would feel the same if I ever had to leave you two” she sniffled, tears welling, in her eyes.
Narcissa smacked her “ Don’t be ridiculous we will never have to leave each other, even if we move on to marry and have children of our own” she shook her head.
“Oh Narcissa, you’re such a meg” laughed Lyra, at their sister's words, the elder two chuckled “That may be so, but Lucius is certainly no Mr.Brooks, our little Amy” Andromeda smirked.
The girls had taken to calling eachother Meg, Jo, and Amy respectively, though they all agreed Bellatrix was no Beth. These nicknames were used only in the presence of each other, as their parents would never approve of a muggle book being read by their prim and proper pureblood girls.
The afternoon before the party started Lyra was filled with giddiness, she’d be attending the gala for the first time, rather than just looking on. Andromeda had even offered to do her hair and make up.
“Dromeda please can I have some blush like you too!” begged Lyra after being denied the eyeliner she had also begged for.
“Oh little star, I suppose some blush won’t hurt, but do not tell mother” she winked at the little blonde, kneeling down to her eye level to put some blush on her cheeks.
As Lyra finished getting ready, beaming, she put on her navy blue dress with and a silver bow in her hair, a secret display of her ravenclaw pride, her father called her sisters down “Girls, the rest of the family is here, come now its time for the photo.”
The girls descended the stairs together and Lyra was met with a tight hug from none other than Sirius “Oh how i’ve missed you” Sirius whispered as he held her.
“Sirius!” Walburga yelled “That is no way to greet a lady, you’ll ruin her dress” Sirius stepped back deflated.
The family took several photos with their professional photographer, one of all the children, and one of both parties, the one of the children was to be made into a portrait, and placed in the prophet; the next generation of greatness, her mother had called it, as Walburga and Bellatrix grumbled about the disappointments not making Slytherin this past year.
Following the incessant photo taking, the Black family was ready to make their entrance to the gala, before they left Regulus begged to be allowed to stay.
“Please, please, I’m eleven, I’ll be at Hogwarts in the fall, why do I have to wait?” Cried the grey eyed boy.
His mother scolded him, sending him into tears, “Oh Reg” Lyra said giving him a hug, “Don’t worry, it’s so boring, just a bunch of old, fat, witches and wizards.
Regulus chuckled at his cousin's statement, “And don’t forget we’ll still have a sleepover after the ball” Sirius chimed in, looking at Lyra and Regulus with a smirk.
Regulus perked up at this, before Kreature grabbed his hand, and disapparated him to the old children’s library, where they used to spend the evening.
This year, the theme of the ball was masquerade, which meant each of the guests had on an exuberant mask to go with the outfit, Lyra and Sirius included.
“Who do you think that tall bloke is approaching Dromeda” Sirius queried pointing at the man in a Grey robe who wore a silver and white mask.
“Not a clue, but he’s practically the millionth man who’s asked to dance with her” Lyra sighed “mother looks a little too excited” she rolled her eyes.
Suddenly, Sirius’ eyes lit up as the song changed, he stood up running for the middle of the floor, grabbing Lyra’s hand, dragging her along.
“Sirius What are you doing?” she queried as he bowed to her, grabbing her hand once again,
“Dancing with you” he grinned.
Lyra accepted his hand as the two began to do the dance, gliding from one slide of the floor to the other, somewhat gracefully for two twelve year olds.
The music changed, and the pair switched their dancing, following the adults in the room, passing a tired looking Andromeda, as Walburga sent another suitor in her direction.
The cousins began to mock those next to them, which had the two laughing so hard that they stumbled, right into Bellatrix.
Some elf wine from her goblet splashed onto the shoes of the duo as they bumped into the curly haired witch, unable to stop themselves quick enough, she turned around, eyes dark and narrowed, grabbing them by the collars of their robes dragging them into the hall.
Lyra and Sirius exchange a look, fearing what Bellatrix might say.
“That’s it you two are done here tonight” Bellatrix yells, her curls falling out of the semi- delicate updo that she is donning this evening.
“Bella, it was an accident” whines Lyra hoping this once her sister will feel some kind of sisterly bond and sympathy for the little blonde.
Bellatrix remained stone-faced. “Bellatrix, we were dancing, like the good little purebloods we are, you should be proud!” grovelled Sirius, “Besides that man was old no doubt you’d want to marry that goblin?” he chuckled, earning an elbow in the ribs from Lyra for the last comment.
“You are to mind your manners Sirius” Bellatrix hissed “Have you any idea who that was?” she continued “one of the wealthiest continental wizards, you’d do good to remember as the future heir of this house, no matter how unsuited” she had pitch black eyes, unlike the rest of the relatives whom nearly all sported blue eyes or hazel, which looked even more terrifying as she raged on.
“Kreature” she shrieked, and the elf appeared.
“Yes, Young miss?” Queried the elf
“Take these two back to grimmauld place” she shoved them into Kreature, “Now”
Soon after, the two appeared in the library of grimmauld place, where a bored looking Regulus lit up, running over to wrap them both in a hug.
“Finally!” the youngest Black exclaimed as the elder two hugged him back “I’ve been waiting ages” he moaned, looking up at the large grandfather clock.
Lyra giggled, “Reg, we were only gone for two and a half hours.”
“However, Bellatrix kicked us out so we didn’t get any sweets” Sirius sighed, ripping his tie off as he sat down on the couch.
“We could send Kreature back for them?” grinned Lyra, locking eyes with Regulus, sending him a wink.
“Kreature!” called Lyra, and the elf appeared.
“Yes, little miss?” He responded.
“I know you’re awfully busy, but could you get us some sweets from the ball, since we left in a rush, we didn’t get any”
“Yes little miss,” Kreature responded, disappearing again.
An hour later, Regulus, Lyra and Sirius were laying on the bed in Sirius’ room, eating all the sweets they could possibly desire.
The trio contedely chatted away, as the youngest member began to drift off to sleep, he spoke up
“Promise, you’ll still be my best friend if I’m in Slytherin?” Regulus queried, in a soft spoken voice.
Lyra looked to her left where Regulus lay, “Of course, nothing will ever tear the three of us apart, we’re best mates for ever, even if we’re in different houses, and have friends in those houses”
Sirius spoke up too “You’re our brother Reg, I’d never not speak to you, we’re always going to be friends.”
The grey eyed boy smiled sleepily, “that goes for Cissa andromeda too, we’re family, forever.” Lyra reassured
“Bella is a special case,” Laughed Sirius.
Regulus drifted off, leaving the ravenclaw and gryffindor to keep eachother company.
“I meant what I said Lyra” Sirius said, moving his arm to wrap it around her, “you’re my best friend in the entire world” he squeezed her.
“You’re mine too, promise it’ll stay that way and we will always tell eachother everything no matter what?” Lyra questioned.
“Me and you Ly, true blue” Sirius winked “get it because you’re a ravenclaw and its blue” he laughed.
“Me and you, true blue” Lyra smiled, holding up her pinky, Sirius, did the same, making a pinky promise, kissing their own thumbs.
“Well, I guess we have a handshake now,” Sirius smirked.
“True Blue” Lyra whispered, before the two fell asleep.
The next morning the trio enjoyed their traditional breakfast in the library before Lyra headed back to the manor to reconnect with her immediate family. As she arrived through the floo, something felt lighter. Maybe it was her promises to her unofficial brothers last night, or the beautiful spring weather but today felt like it was going to be a good day.
“Hello Little Star!” Narcissa greeted Lyra, upon her appearance in the family library,
“Come sit, we were all just relaxing with books after last nights shenanigans” she smiled, patting the seat next to her.
Narcissa’s kind eyes and smile could never convey any distress, however the twelve year old noted a shift in the air, and the absence of Andromeda. However, not wanting to stir the pot, she sat down and cuddled into Narcissa’s side.
Eventually, after some time Andromeda arrived, taking a seat on the chair next to the fire, furthest from their mother.
This did not stop Druella from speaking up “Andromeda, so lovely, of you to finally make an appearance, we have had many owls arrive with letters from guests from last night” she smiled smugly.
“Oh” Andromeda spoke, in a monotone voice “well you throw a lovely party mother” she continued.
“Some of those included several letters of proposal from wealthy wizards, asking for your hand my dear” she continued, “Your father and I agreed, we shall go over them with you and pick whom we think is best” Druella looked at her husband.
Andromeda ignored the comment, paying attention to her book instead, while all other eyes in the room turned to the sister.
Cygnus, often the more docile, spoke up “Andromeda, you will respond to your mother” he spoke sternly, startling Lyra.
“There will be no need to look over the proposals father” Andromeda spoke standing up, “I already have a match ” she smirked.
“So quick, Andy” Bellatrix remarked, using the nickname Andromeda despised “do we know him?”
Narcissa’s demeanour changed, “You promised, you said you wouldn’t leave” she cried.
“Cissa, I love him” Andromeda appologized “It’s Ted Tonks, and we are to be wed later this summer, I hope you can accept this”
“We had no Tonks in attendance last night” spoke Druella, exchanging confused glances with Cygnus
“That’s because he’s a filthy mudblood” shrieked Bellatrix
At this several things happened at once, including Druella’s rage “How dare you sully the bloodline, no daughter of mine will ever marry a muggle”
Bellatrix fired a hex “mudblood whore” she spoke as the youngest two daughters begged for them to stop
“Dromeda you don’t have to do this, please!” Begged Narcissa
“Bella Stop!” Lyra exclaimed at the same time, at this a crucio was fired, hitting Andromeda,
“She’s not our sister anymore Lyra, just a blood traitor” Bellatrix smirked, finding joy in her sister’s pain.
Lyra burst into tears, unsure of what to do, chaos ensued around her with every member of the family yelling.
“ENOUGH” Shouted Cygnus, disarming Bellatrix. “You should leave Andromeda,” he suggested, pointing towards the floo, “Now” he yelled.
“No please, Don’t go” Lyra cried chasing after a stoic Andromeda who limped to the floo
“Little star” Andromeda spoke turning around as she reached the fireplace, “It’ll be alright, I promise” she cooed, trying to reassure them both it seemed, as tears streamed down both of their faces, giving her one last kiss, she stepped into the floo, calling out for diagon alley as Lyra responded “No, It won’t”.
Lyra was joined by Narcissa at the floo, nobody but each other for comfort, they headed to the drawing room, where Narcissa said their parents had requested them.
“You three are not to contact, associate, or discuss Andromeda, she went against the family and we cannot support that” Spoke a stone faced Cygnus, unable to look his two blonde daughters in the eye.
“This is what happens when you go against the family girls, I want you to remember what happens to blood traitors” Druella spoke with ire in her voice, “Go ahead Bellatrix” she spoke
To their left, Bellatrix spoke, with a crazed look in her eyes “Incendio” setting Andromeda’s portrait on the family tree on fire, removing her from their past, present, and future.
That evening, after everyone was asleep, Lyra snuck downstairs. She made her way to the floo, but froze, noticing the presence of someone out of the corner of her eye. There in the drawing room, sat her father, staring at the tapestry, nursing a glass of firewhisky,
“Go ahead, I won’t tell anyone” he spoke nodding in the direction of the floo.
“I’m not, I wasn’t” Lyra fumbled, worried she’d be in grave trouble after today’s events.
“Go to the floo, I’ll tell them you’re asleep in the morning” he nodded, pouring another glass, as Lyra began to walk again, she heard, just before she was out of ear shot “I’m so sorry Little Star”
As she reached the floo, she spoke, “Number 12 Grimmauld Place”
Lyra arrived, making her way up to Sirius’ room, crawling into bed with the curly haired boy,
At the shift of weight on the bed, he awoke “who is there?”
“It’s me” Lyra spoke softly, “I needed you”
“What is it” Sirius queried, wondering what could be wrong, Lyra’s voice quivered as she spoke to him.
“Andromeda’s gone” She began to cry “she was disowned for being engaged to Ted Tonks” she began to bawl, at this truth.
Sirius began to cry as well, his favourite cousin next to Lyra, he hated this family, he hated the pureblood ideals, but at least he had Lyra.
That evening, Sirius held Lyra as she wept, promising her it would be okay, they would see Andromeda again.
“We’ll get through this together Lyra, I promise” he cried into her hair, as he cradled the crying blonde in his lap, “It’s us against the world”.