Chapter 7
Chapter 7
The next morning Lyra slept in. When she woke up, there was an owl at her window.
Hermione granger,
I am mildly concerned with what is going on with you. I trust that you are safe and finally healing. I have included the parchments we discussed. I will need you to send the first back immediately so I can check your current level of care required. After I review things I can tell you more about how you are progressing in your condition. I don't see cause for concern at this time.
No one is asking about you at this time. Worry not. I will do as you ask and keep your confidence. When the school year resumes I would like to have a conversation with you. Possibly around your birthday? I'm sure you won't know your schedule until you are back at school. No need to stress about it, just send me an owl when you know your availability.
Until next time, continue resting and enjoy your summer.
Sincerely,
Madam Pomfrey
Lyra responds to the letter by completing the task needed and sending off the owl instructing it to wait for potions delivery before returning. Then she decides to go for a swim. After dressing in a red bikini and a long green skirt, Lyra grabs a towel and walks through the house. She eats an apple as she heads outside.
Once at the pool, she puts her things down and jumps into the pool. Lyra discovers that being inside the pool is very relaxing to her aching muscles.
‘Hello cousin. How are you feeling today?’
Startled, Lyra realizes she must have lost track of time. Looking up she sees Draco Malfoy. He looks different than when they are at school. More relaxed. He is wearing a green t-shirt and khaki shorts. He is not smirking or sneering as he usually is when she sees him, instead he looks…. Nervous? With a sigh, Lyra climbs out of the pool and begins to dry herself off with her towel.
‘Hello cousin, I am feeling better. How are you?’
Lyra finishes drying off, puts on her skirt and begins to walk inside. Draco follows her.
‘I'm having a lovely day. After all, it is not everyday that a long lost relative returns home now is it?’
‘That is true. How are you adjusting to finding out that I am that long lost relative?’
‘I will admit that I was shocked. I want to apologize for my behavior. No matter who you were, I should have been able to at least be a gentleman around you. I shall endeavour to be a gentleman in all future interactions.’
‘I accept your apology. Have you been informed that you will need to not let on that you know anything once we are back in school?’
‘Nothing specific yet. I'm sure things will get interesting once we return to school.’
Lyra and Draco walk through the manor until they are outside her room.
‘I will be back in a moment. I just need to change for lunch.’
Without waiting for a response she walks into her room and closes the door. Several moments later she returns, dressed in a pink tank top, a jean skirt and pink flip flops.
‘You look different then when we are at school.’ Lyra observes. ‘Happier. Can I ask why?’
‘Yes cousin, you can ask me whatever you want. For you I have nothing to hide. I always wanted a sibling or some close relation to grow up with. Something was always missing. Now I know, it was you, I want to get to know you. When we are at school I must act a certain way because I never know who is watching. The Dark Lords followers have sent their children to school with the intention of being spies. I am expected to act just like they are. At some point I will be expected to join the ranks. I'm still not sure if I want to, but that is a conversation for another day. What would you like me to call you?’
‘There are many things I want to discuss at a later date with you in due time. In this house I want to go by Lyra. When I return to the Order I will be Hermione until they see me discover who my parents are. From that moment it will depend on what happens. I do enjoy being called cousin. And what about you?’
‘You may call me whatever you wish but i also like cousin.’
‘Well that settles it. Cousin it is. Oh hello mother. Did you know Draco had arrived?’ Lyra asks as they enter the dining room.
‘Actually I was starting to get worried that he was not here yet. I'm glad he seems to have found you.’
All 3 sit down to lunch as Rudolphus enters the room and joins them.
After the meal Lyra requests to spend more time getting to know Draco. He agrees and they head to the library. The cousins spend the afternoon talking about their friends and classmates. Soon they are discussing who would likely still be around after The Big Reveal.
‘No way will Weasley accept this. How many times has he walked away for something minor?’
‘I understand what you are saying but I cannot believe I will lose my closest friends. We have been friends for years.’
‘Have you? Or is he tolerating you because of Potter? Think about it. When are you, ever, away from Potter, together? How does he act?’
‘I need time to think about that. Who do you think will still be my friend? Clearly you have a different view of things than I do?’
Draco takes a moment to think. ‘Well I think Longbottom will still be your friend but it may be a challenge because of who your parents are. Potter will have to decide for himself. You may want to talk to him when Weasley is not around. Other than them, I'm not too sure. Who else do you hang out with?’
‘Clearly I have a lot to think about before we return to school. Tell me, which of your friends will I need to be concerned about? Who would want to befriend me simply because of my parents?’
‘That is a bit more tricky. Theo and Blaise have been relatively neutral in their comments and we get on well enough. Pansy will be skeptical no matter what. You may find a friend in Daphne? Truthfully it all depends on what happens with The Big Reveal, as you call it. Talk me through that plan? Or however much you have planned so far?’
‘This summer I was told I was adopted. I decided to look into finding my parents. Are my parents magical? Are they alive? Why was I adopted? In Flourish and Blotts, I find a potion book that has a solution. When I visit at the end of summer I will begin reading the book and researching possible outcomes or variations. When we arrive at school, I have everything I need to begin the potion.
It takes a week. I will start the first weekend after we arrive. I will have my results at the beginning of the second, possibly just before dinner? With the results, how can I not be distraught?’ Lyra pauses to feign how distraught she will be. ‘I will need time to come to terms with this information. Depending how the situation is handled by the Order will tell me how to handle things.’
‘And of course when it gets all over school I will write to my parents. Will I be expected to officially make contact with you? We are close cousins after all.’ Draco asks, contemplating the scenario.
‘Surprise me. If things get too planned out I won't be able to act genuinely surprised.’
‘You know, after adding your blood to the parchment, you have to wait 10 minutes before you can read the results right? Are you planning to read it in the Great Hall?’
‘Either then or just before. Can you imagine? I walk into dinner glued to a parchment stunned. Someone's bound to ask what has me distracted. Actually you could discover it. Then no one would be able to dispute it. I'm walking but bump into you. When I look up to apologize you snatch the page away and read it before I can stop you.’
Draco mimes looking at a parchment. ‘Granger? Who is Lyra? Why is my aunt's name on this parchment? This could be great.’ They both dissolve into laughter.
After a moment Lyra catches her breath and says, ‘I'm glad you agree. Now we need to tell my parents.’ Both teens jump when a voice is heard from the doorway.
‘Actually, we just heard. That sounds lovely. Do you need to be seen buying the book or potion supplies? Or just buy everything before meeting the Weasleys in Diagon when you visit? I'm sure we can make this work.’
Lyra’s parents join them in the library as they continue to work out the plan.
*,*
Draco stays for dinner then returns home after promising to visit regularly. When he arrives he is confronted by his mother.
‘You were gone all day. Did it go well?’
‘Yes mother, it was nice getting to know her without everyone watching my every move. I plan to visit regularly. ‘
‘Good, tell me all about it.’ He does before bidding his mother good night.
When he walks into his room he notices that he is not alone. Stretched out in his bed looking completely at ease is his best friend.
‘How long have you been here?’ He says with a smirk. Before climbing into bed and getting comfortable.
‘Depends on the time I guess, I came to see if you were busy. Clearly you were. But then I didn't want to leave so I stayed. Father is unhappy again and I didn’t want to deal with it. Where did you go? Last time we spoke you said you had no plans.’
‘Ah, well life is surprising. You never know when something will come up.’
‘And does this surprise have a name?’ Theo rolls to his side and propping his head up with his hand.
Draco mimics the position and asks, ‘wouldn't you like to know.’
‘Dray, I'm hurt, I thought we meant something to each other. Why would you keep anything a secret?’
‘Ur just mad because you think I'm out snogging someone and you are not.’
‘Obviously. Are you?’
‘No but let's talk about it later. Who are you trying to kiss these days?’
‘I'm not sure, Lovegood is looking particularly lovely these days. And father says she can hold her own in a duel. Might be worth looking into. What about you?’
‘No one in particular I suppose. Maybe someone will catch my eye sooner or later.’
‘Really? Hmm. As long as I don't have to listen to you rant about Potter or Granger again all summer I'm happy.’
‘I presume you are staying the night?’
‘You presume correct.’
‘Alright. Go find another bed to sleep in. I will see you in the morning.’
‘Fine. You are no fun.’
Theo huffs as he rolls out of Draco's bed before leaving the room and closing the door.
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