The Hat Stall
August 2016
“Little dragon relax,” Draco said, holding his daughter’s hand. “We have all the time we need. We just can’t let your mother get distracted in Flourish and Blott’s.”
“Oh you hush,” Hermione said, rolling her eyes as Draco and Lyra laughed.
Diagon Alley was packed with families taking their young ones to shops and preparing for their departure to Diagon Alley. It was the last place they wanted to be but it was a right of passage for any new Hogwarts student. As they walked through the crowded street, Draco was reminded of when he brought Lyra to Diagon Alley with Theo and Blaise when she was just a baby. He would never have guessed everything that had happened after that one decision. It brought his parents into Lyra’s life. No one could have ever imagined how Lucius Malfoy would kneel to a little girl as precocious as Lyra Malfoy.
“Where to first hmm?” Draco asked, squeezing Lyra’s hand. “You’ve decided to take Hercules with you yes? So we don’t need a visit to the menagerie.”
“Madam Malkin’s and then Olivanders,” Hermione said, smiling softly at her daughter. She watched as her daughter’s beautiful chocolate eyes lit up at the mention of the wandmaker. Lyra had been ready for her own wand for years. She had patiently waited and now that the time was almost upon them, she could hardly contain her excitement.
“But mum I have my school robes already,” Lyra said, pouting just enough to try and sway her mother’s plan. “Can’t we go to Ollivander’s now? Please?”
“You want to go now?” Hermione asked, her mouth quirked up slightly in an amused smile.
“Are you sure little dragon?” Draco chuckled. “We can always get you more robes?”
“Daddy,” Lyra groaned pulling on his hand.
“Ok, ok.” Hermione chuckled. “Let’s go to Ollivander’s.”
The trio made their way through the alley, smiling and nodding at people who said hello or acknowledged their presence. Hermione and Draco had decided that it was best to leave their other children at the manor with their grandparents. They wanted to have this special moment for just the three of them like it was in the beginning before a wedding and more children.
As they approached the shop entrance, Lyra was bouncing with excitement and Draco was watching her with a fond smile. Opening the door, Hermione ushered her in, closing it once they were all inside. “Lyra Malfoy,” a voice rang out before the elder wandmaker stepped out from the back office with a smile on his face. “I’ve been expecting you little one.”
“Me?” Lyra gasped, her eyes wide in wonder.
“Of course,” Ollivander said immediately grabbing a few boxes from the shelves. Hermione nudged her forward towards them as the wizard studied her. Draco and Hermione both took a step back, grabbing onto each other’s hand and squeezing tightly. “Such a rare gift, being an empath. With your gift, and the gifts your parents gave you… you will do extraordinary things.”
Draco looked over at Hermione, his grey eyes boring into hers with a look of love burning in them. Their little girl was going to be extraordinary.
“Well go on,” Ollivander said, handing her a wand. “Give it a try.” As Lyra flicked her wand, the lanterns in the shop all went out. “No, not that one.”
Setting the wand down carefully after he used magic to light up the shop again, Lyra looked nervous as she picked up the second wand. Per his instructions, she tried the wand again and a small fire started. “Definitely not,” Ollivander said with a shake of his head. He reverently opened the box to the last wand on the counter and handed it to her. The moment the wand touched her hand, a warm feeling like a hug traveled through her body. Hermione and Draco watched as their daughter’s magic danced around her. “That’s the one. Hawthorne ten and a quarter inches with a dragon heartstring core.”
“That’s…”
“A perfect mix of her parents’ wands,” the older man smiled knowingly at the two adults. “This wand will serve her well.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ollivander,” Hermione said quietly, paying the man and leaving with Draco and Lyra as the young girl stared at her wand in wonder.
“Hawthorne wand…” Draco said, a smile slowly growing bigger on his face.
“A perfect blend of us,” Hermione said, taking his arm and walking with them. They spent the next few hours together, gathering everything Lyra would need for Hogwarts and spending more time than needed in Flourish and Blotts, just like Draco had suspected. By the time they got home, Lyra was dead on her feet.
“I can levitate her up to bed,” Hermione said softly, smiling at their daughter who was curled up asleep against his shoulder as they all sat in the library together after dinner.
“Leave her be,” Draco said with a smile. “She’s cozy.”
Hermione smiled as his words brought back a flood of memories from those first few years at Nott Manor. From tricking her out of getting her own place so she would end up staying at the manor to heated debates at the breakfast table, those first years were full of moments that she would cherish for the rest of her life. “I remember the first time you said those words about Lyra,” Hermione said softly, running her fingers through his blonde hair.
“So do I,” Draco said smiling. “I remember it all… every single moment.”
“We’ve had an amazing life,” she whispered, smiling softly.
“I didn’t think it was possible to love you more than I did at that time,” Draco said, running his fingers through Lyra’s long curls. “But I was wrong. I fall in love with you all over again every day, more than I did the day before.”
“Draco…”
“I love you, Granger,” he said smiling and pulling her in for a kiss.
&&&
The night before Lyra was to leave for Hogwarts, the family all gathered together at Nott Manor for a final dinner. Missy had gone all out in between her obsessive need to dote on Lyra and her sobs at the fact that she would be leaving for Hogwarts. A family dinner was never a quiet affair. Children were running around the house in all directions while parents were trying to keep up with them all.
Lyra was in the gardens with Jamie and Athena, trying to console her friend that was still depressed that Lyra would be leaving him. “I’ll be back for Christmas Jamie, I promise,” she said, grabbing his hand and smiling softly.
“But you’ll still be gone,” he pouted, his raven hair sticking out everywhere, just like his father's.
“James you’re being overdramatic,” Athena sighed laying back on her blanket. “You will be at Hogwarts soon enough and you will be together again.”
“Do you think maybe my dad could pull some strings and then I could go to Hogwarts next year when Athena goes?” Jamie asked excitedly. “He’s the chosen one remember?”
“I don’t think Uncle Harry can force that to happen, Jamie,” Lyra giggled. The three children chatted and laughed together until Hermione came out and ushered them all inside to clean up for dinner. Once everyone was seated and food was served, the conversations at the table ran rampant. Children were giggling while the adults held conversations pertaining to anything and everything. Lyra watched everyone, soaking in the feelings that were emanating from everyone around her. This was her family. A family that she adored.
“I would like to make a small toast,” Draco said, causing Lyra to snap out of her train of thought and look over at her dad. He was smiling softly at her, a smile that he reserved for her and her alone. “To my little dragon. Lyra… we are so proud of you. We can not wait to see what your years at Hogwarts are like. But please for the love of Merlin, try not to get into as much trouble as your mother.”
“It’s not like I went looking for trouble,” Hermione said rolling her eyes as everyone laughed.
“No, you just befriended the bloody chosen one,” Draco said with a wink before kissing her cheek.
“Lyra can’t get into trouble because Athena and I won’t be there to help,” Jamie said, pouting.
“That is a very good point,” Hermione laughed.
“I want to say something,” Theo said smiling as he stood up and made his way over to stand behind Lyra with a hand on her shoulder. She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped from her throat.
“I just want to say… that I was the first one besides your mother that got to hold you, Mini Granger,” Theo smiled at her. As he looked down at her, he was immediately overcome with the image of a tiny baby swaddled in a pink blanket and handed over to him. The little girl had grabbed hold of his heart from day one and he had never let her go. “Which makes me automatically your favorite.”
“Actually… I was the first one to hold her besides Hermione,” Harry said chuckling, and Theo gasped in horror. “You know because I’m the godfather.”
“Lyra my love, did your supposed godfather ever tell you he tried to steal you away from us?” Theo glared.
“What?” Lyra asked looking around the table. Draco groaned, running his hands through his hair while Pansy just shook her head with a sigh. This was not a suitable conversation to have at the moment.
“It wasn’t like that,” Harry said rolling his eyes. “I’m not some villain in a movie.”
“She took her first steps to me, Potter!” Theo shouted dramatically. “She took my face in her tiny little hands and said THEO. I’m HER favorite.”
“I’m pretty sure she said Teo,” Pansy smirked as she whispered to Hermione. “But semantics.”
“I love you both,” Lyra said giggling. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Ignore your Uncle Theo Lyra,” Charlie chuckled, rubbing the back of a distraught Theodore Nott. “He’s having a rough time with you leaving tomorrow.”
“Uncle Theo,” Lyra smiled, taking his hand in hers. “I promise I’ll write you.”
“You better write me,” Theo said squeezing her hand. “If you don’t, I’ll march right up to that bloody school and cause a scene. We all know how dramatic I can be when I need to.”
“Whatever happened to Lyra’s swear jar?” Blaise chuckled.
“What’s a swear jar?” Charlie asked.
“I’ll explain it to you later darling,” Theo said patting his cheek.
“I told you… the money from the swear jar would go into an account at Gringotts in Lyra’s name,” Hermione smirked.
“Bloody hell I’m sure the damn account is full,” Blaise chuckled.
“Swear jar,” Theo said smirking and holding his hand out. Dinner continued with lots of laughter and a few tears as everyone continued to share their favorite anecdote or story featuring Lyra. Once everyone was finished eating, everyone dispersed to the library but Lyra stayed seated at the dining room table. Lucius watched her from the doorway, taking in her demeanor. His granddaughter was always bright and bubbly, full of life and energy. The little girl he was watching seemed to be closing in on herself. She was a tad quiet and withdrawn. Quietly he made his way over to her, taking a seat beside her.
“Hi Papa,” she said softly, wringing her hands together in a way that he knew meant she was nervous.
“Nervous? Little star, why are you nervous?” Lucius asked, sliding another piece of her favorite cake in front of her. Everyone had been full of emotions but Lyra had been oddly silent since the beginning of the dessert course. He knew his granddaughter well enough to know that something was bothering her. It was why he had lingered behind with her as the others had retired to the library with the other children to chat and reminisce about all of their favorite memories.
“What if the sorting hat doesn’t put me in the right house?” Lyra asked softly, looking up at her grandfather nervously. “Dad said that all Malfoy’s have gotten into Slytherin. But what if I don’t? Does that mean I’m not a Malfoy?”
“Sweetheart, you are a Malfoy whether or not the house puts you in Slytherin. Even if you are a Gryffindor like your mother.”
“But what if I’m not? What if I’m not brave like a Gryffindor either and the hat puts me in Hufflepuff? Uncle Harry said that I’m loyal like a Hufflepuff.”
“Well, I wouldn’t listen to Harry Potter if I were you,” Lucius chuckled. “But even if you are sorted into Hufflepuff, you will still be a Malfoy and we will all love you regardless. You’re my little star, remember?”
“Favorite star in the whole world,” Lyra said shyly, smiling a little.
“I have a gift for you love,” Lucius said smiling conspiratorially. “Best not to tell your father about it though until after you are settled in at school.”
“Ok,” Lyra smiled and Lucius chuckled as he pulled a small jewelry box out of his robes.
“This, little star, is something that I gave to your Nana when we were at Hogwarts together.” Opening the box, inside lay a beautiful emerald encrusted ring with the Malfoy signet showing boldly. “This ring is very special.” Smiling as he slid the ring on her dainty finger, he held up his own hand showing his ring. “Do you see how it matches mine?” He waited for Lyra to nod and then continued. “This is a Malfoy family ring. It connects you to my ring. Anytime you are feeling lonely or sad, you can press down on the M and it will send a signal to mine.”
“What kind of signal?” Lyra gasped looking down at the ring on her finger. Lucius chuckled at her inquisitiveness and pressed down on his ring, smiling as she gasped when the ring on her finger shone brightly and sent a tingle through her hand.
“You are a Malfoy my little star,” Lucius stated, taking her hands in his. “You are so loved and you will never be alone.”
“I love you, Papa.”
“I love you too little star,” Lucius said kissing the top of her head. He waited for her to finish her piece of cake before taking her hand and walking to the library with her. She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face when she saw her parents standing close to the muggle record player in the corner, lost in their own little world. Closing her eyes, the young witch let her magic reach out and find her parents. She was immediately filled with love, adoration, and devotion.
Walking over to the record player, all eyes immediately turned toward her. “I want to do something. It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t…” she said, smiling softly. She gently laid the record on the player and started it, music filling the air after a few moments.
Ain't no mountain high… ain't no valley low… ain't no river wide enough baby…
“My favorite thing to do at home is sneak out of my room and tiptoe down the stairs and watch mum and dad dance,” Lyra said smiling softly. “I want to see it one more time.”
Draco smiled at her before holding out his hand for Hermione. She immediately took it, and he pulled her close, beginning to dance. Of course, they had known over the years that Lyra had watched them from time to time but they never realized just how special it was for her.
“At least they aren’t having sex on the bookshelves,” Theo muttered to Charlie who just laughed and kissed him sweetly.
“Go ask Lyra to dance,” Charlie winked. “I’ve got Athena.”
“As you wish my sexy dragon tamer,” Theo smirked, kissing him again before dramatically turning and approaching Lyra with a bow holding out his hand. She giggled and took his proffered hand, dancing around the room with him. It didn’t take long before everyone began to join in, smiling and laughing all together as a family.
Ain't no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough. Ain't no river wide enough. To keep me from getting to you babe.
&&&
Draco looked over at the young girl lying by his side. They were out back in the gardens, both laying on a blanket. Lyra was tucked against him, her eyes glued to the stars above them. He couldn’t help but reminiscence about the first time he had laid in the gardens at Nott Manor with her, looking at the constellations. She wasn’t that young girl anymore though. She had grown into a beautiful young witch that in the morning he was going to have to send off and not see until the holidays.
When her small hand grabbed his hand and raised both of their hands to the sky, Draco chuckled. “Show me our constellations again, please? And mums star?” Lyra said, looking at him with a small smile.
“Of course little dragon,” Draco said. Both of their attention returned to the stars in the sky as Draco took her hand, tracing the constellations for her. “Never forget that we are-”
“Side by side in the night sky… just like you will always be by my side,” Lyra said, smiling brightly as she repeated his exact words from so long ago.
“That’s right,” Draco nodded. “No matter what happens I will always protect you.”
“I don’t want to forget,” Lyra whispered. “I want to be able to look up in the stars when I’m homesick and see you and mum…”
“Little dragon you’ll never forget because you will never be alone,” Draco said, turning to look at her. “All you have to do is remember to look up.”
They laid together out in the garden for a while longer before they both headed inside. Lyra went to her room to finish packing her trunk. She folded her clothes with care, placing them neatly inside, along with all of the other things she would need including her books and pictures. Grabbing her baby blanket that her Nana had turned into a full-sized blanket for her, Lyra folded it and set it in the truck.
When she walked to her dresser, she grabbed her small jewelry box, setting aside her charm bracelet and locket from her father to wear onto the train the next day. That was when she spotted it. Sitting on her nightstand beside her bed was the cream-colored stuffed dragon with her name embroidered on the foot. She walked over to it, grabbing it and holding it tight to her chest. She gave herself a few moments before walking over to the trunk and gently placing the dragon inside. Tomorrow everything would change, but some things would forever stay the same.
September 1, 2016
Draco held onto Lyra’s hand tightly, keeping the little girl close to him as Hermione held Leo in her arms, the twins following them dutifully even with wandering eyes. Lyra had been fidgeting all morning and Draco had taken her out before one last fly around the property to settle her nerves. The family stepped through Platforms 9 and 10 and were immediately enveloped in the sea of families saying goodbye to their children.
“Look, mummy!” Theodora said, pointing to the gathered group waiting for their arrival.
“Here we go love,” Hermione said softly, kissing the top of Lyra’s head. The Malfoy family made their way over to the group, brave faces in place.
“It’s almost time,” Narcissa said softly, smiling at her granddaughter. Everyone stood silent, not knowing how to even start to say goodbye to the little girl that had truly made them all one big family.
“Oh screw it,” Theo shouted, launching himself at Lyra and gathering her in his arms. “What am I going to do without you, my little love?”
“Uncle Theo,” Lyra giggled, hugging him back.
“I’ll just have to make excuses to come and see Minerva so that I can visit you,” Theo said squeezing her gently before pulling back.
“My darling Lyra,” Pansy said softly, walking up to her and running her hand adoringly through her long brown curls. “You are worth more than anything in this world. Don’t you ever forget that. And don’t ever forget how much I love you.”
“Never,” she said softly before hugging her tightly. Blaise stepped up next, taking her into his arms and holding her tight.
“You know you used to call me Uncle B. I would conjure butterflies for you and you would chase them, giggling and smiling the whole time,” Blaise said, refusing to let go.
“I remember.”
“Draco may be your father,” Blaise said pulling back to look her in her eyes. “But never doubt how much I love and adore you. You were our saving grace Lyra, our hope. I love you.”
“I love you too Uncle Blaise.”
“Oh quit hogging her,” Ginny said pushing her older brother out of the way and hugging her tight. “You will be brilliant, just like your mum.” She leaned in whispering conspiratorially in her ear. “And if anyone gives you any trouble don’t hesitate for one minute to send an owl to Pansy and me. We will take care of it.”
“Aunt Ginny,” Lyra laughed as the redheaded witch pulled away and went back to Harry who was standing with James Potter. The little boy was looking at the ground, kicking his shoes against the pavement. “James.”
“I’m going to miss you, Jamie,” Lyra said softly and the young boy looked up at her.
“You could just take me with you. We don’t have to tell anyone. I’ll be quiet as a niffler,” he said and everyone chuckled.
“If that was the plan you probably shouldn’t have said it out loud kiddo,” Charlie said ruffling his nephew’s hair.
“Darn it,” Jamie sighed. He launched himself at Lyra hugging her tightly. “Don’t forget about me Lyra.”
“Never,” she said hugging him back tightly. Hermione and Ginny watched them in adoration, thinking it was the sweetest thing they had ever seen. Draco grumbled under his breath about how no daughter of his would end up with a Potter. Harry stepped up, prying the two apart so that he could hug his goddaughter and have a moment with her.
“Relax love,” Hermone murmured, kissing his jaw gently. “She’s going to Hogwarts and he will be here.”
“I know,” Draco said, a small smirk playing at his lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Outwardly he was calm and collected but inside he was a storm of emotions that he was doing his best to occlude away from his empath of a daughter.
“My beautiful granddaughter,” Narcissa smiled, smoothing her curls and straightening the green ribbon in her hair. “We are so proud of you. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures.”
“I promise I’ll write to you nana,” she said, hugging her tightly. The older witch pulled back, smiling and kissing the top of her head.
“Little star,” Lucius smiled softly taking her hands in his, his thumb rubbing over the ring on her finger. “Never forget you are a Malfoy. You and your brothers and sister have brought hope and goodness back to the name.”
“I love you, papa.”
“And I love you little star.”
“I’m not ready for this,” Theo cried dropping his head to Charlie’s shoulder.
“Always so dramatic,” Pansy said rolling her eyes.
“Don’t forget about me!” Scorpius shouted, waving his arms at his sister.
“I could never forget about you,” Lyra said softly, kneeling to his and Theodora’s level.
“Who’s going to tell me when I say things wrong?” Scorpius said frowning.
“I’ll tell you,” Theodora said, smiling at her twin.
“Scorp it’s up to you now to make sure Theodora and Leo stay out of trouble,” Lyra said ruffling his hair. “Especially mum and dad. They are always getting into trouble.”
“Don’t forget about Mione,” Theodora said giggling.
“Definitely keep an eye on Mione,” Lyra said smirking.
“I can do it!” Scorpius said nodding seriously before launching himself at his sister, burying his face in her curls. “I love you Lyra.”
“I love you too Scorpius.”
“Don’t cry Scorpy,” Theodora said, rubbing his back. “She will be home at Christmas.”
“I will I promise,” Lyra nodded, pulling her sister in for a hug as well. After a few moments with them, she went to a squealing and babbling Leo, loving on him with tears in her eyes.
“Let me take Leo,” Narcissa said softly and Lyra went to stand in front of her mother. Hermione smiled at her with tears in her eyes. Her hand gently touched the charm bracelet that was clasped around her daughter’s wrist. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.
“You have your jumper? Hercules?” Hermione asked and Lyra nodded.
“Yes mum,” she said smiling sadly.
“Make sure that you change into your school robes before you get to Hogwarts,” Hermione continued, brushing lint off of her daughter's shirt. “And do try not to adopt any more creatures with Hagrid. In fact, try not to spend all of your time with Hagrid. Madam Pince in the library is strict but fair. Don’t make too much noise or she will kick you out.”
“Mummy…”
The curly-haired witch stopped and smiled at her daughter, her bottom lip trembling. “My beautiful baby girl…” She took her in her arms, holding her tight to her chest. She didn’t know how she was going to go so many months without seeing her daughter’s smiling face. “You saved my life Lyra… I love you so much.”
“I love you too mummy,” Lyra said hugging her back just as tight.
“Don’t forget to write please,” Hermione said kissing her forehead. “Your father will panic if he doesn’t hear from you.”
“At least five letters a week should keep the monster at bay,” Blaise winked and Pansy pushed him playfully.
The whistle for the train blew loud, signaling to everyone that it was almost time for the train to depart.
“Go on little love,” her mother said, pushing her gently towards her smiling father.
“Lyra Elizabeth,” Draco said softly, his fingers brushing against the locket around her neck. As she looked up at him with her beautiful chocolate eyes so much like her mother’s, Draco’s heart clenched in his chest.
“Daddy… I’m scared,” Lyra whispered, biting her bottom lip.
“It’s ok to be scared,” Draco said, kneeling to her level. “I’m scared too. From the first moment I held you in my arms, you’ve had a hold of my heart. I don’t know what it’s going to be like with you not there to smile at me every day when I get home. But change can be good… it can be amazing if you let it. I would never have gotten to have you in my life if I didn’t change.”
“What if I can’t control it…”
“Do you remember the breathing exercises that your mum taught you?” Draco asked and chuckled softly as his little girl nodded her head fervently. “And we’ve already talked to Minerva about flying remember? You can always go to her or Neville if the world gets too overwhelming.”
“What if no one likes me?”
“Everyone is going to love you,” Draco chuckled, brushing an errant curl away from her eyes. “Not as much as we do, but they will.”
He caught her easily as the little girl wrapped her arms around him tightly, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. He held her tightly, willing his feelings to stay buried until she was on the train. His baby girl, the daughter of the brightest witch of her age, was going to Hogwarts. He could see it now. She would flourish and thrive. He could see her with her nose buried in a pile of books in the library. He could vividly imagine going to games and watching her around the Quidditch pitch. His little girl was going to change the world, just like her mother. This was her first step.
“I love you, daddy…”
“I love you too Lyra.”
“It’s time,” Hermione said gently, holding the crying twins to her.
“Go and soar little dragon,” Draco said softly, kissing her forehead and sending her off to the train. Draco stood, returning to Hermione’s side. Three wizards, a godwitch, and a mother all clasped hands as they watched their little girl board the train that would be taking her to their past but her future. No one moved an inch as the train left the station, taking her away to an entire new world of possibilities.
Turning to look at his wife, silent tears tell from his cheeks as Draco smiled weakly. “Let’s go home.”
“Just so we are clear,” Blaise murmured to Pansy and Theo as they all began to file out to the apparition point. “Those tears count. I won the bet. Pay up.”
&&&
As Lyra followed Hagrid into the great hall, her eyes were full of wonder as she took in everything around her. She had seen the great hall many times before with her Uncle Theo and her parents but this was different. The hall was alive and all eyes were on the little first years as they made their way to the front where the sorting hat was waiting for them.
“When I call your name you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses,” Professor McGonagall said as she picked up the hat and held the scroll in her hands. She began to call names one by one and the little curly-haired witch watched as her fellow students were sorted and sent to their tables.
“Lyra Malfoy,” she said and the room went quiet once again. Slowly, she made her way up to the hat, smiling at Minerva and Hagrid before taking a seat. She took a deep breath fiddling with her charm bracelet as the hat was placed on her head.
“Ah yes…a Malfoy. But what a conundrum of a Malfoy you are,” a voice said inside her head. “Your father was a Slytherin and yet your mother was a Gryffindor.”
“My mum says that you almost put her in Slytherin…” she replied to the hat as it continued to debate in her mind.
“Hmmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. Just like your mother, the brightest witch of her age. There's talent, A my goodness, an empath. It’s been a very long time since I’ve encountered a young witch of such talent. But where to put you hmmm…”
“My father says that all Malfoy’s are sorted into Slytherin…”
“Yes, Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness indeed. Yet you have your mother’s courage… perhaps Gryffindor or Ravenclaw would best suited for a mind and talent like yours. What to do… what to do…”
Lyra sat completely still, her eyes closed as she waited for the hat to decide her fate for the next seven years.
“Well then, if the mind and spirit insist, better be….”
-finite-