Chapter 8
SIRIUS BLACK WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL three days after the trial, and true to her word, Lyra returned the next day along with her cousin sisters.
Sirius was put to bed-rest under strict orders from his healers, and it was decided to home-school him for the rest of the year. Homeschooling was not an uncommon option among purebloods. In fact, it was actually preferred and had started gaining even more popularity when Albus Dumbledore became Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Lady Potter also decided to home-school James along with Sirius for the remainder of the year. Their education for the coming year was still a debate among the elders.
At first, the students of Hogwarts were in a turmoil of emotions. On one hand, a fellow student had been subjected to a fate worse than death, and on the other hand, he deserved it. Severus Snape had been a half-blood Slytherin and had almost killed a pureblood Gryffindor. That statement could be interpreted in many ways, none of them good.
The students had kept staring or sneaking glances at the Blacks when they had initially returned, and even the teachers had followed their actions. They whispered quietly behind their backs and gave them either dirty or sympathetic looks. But the Blacks didn't pay attention to any of it one bit, and within two days, House Slytherin went back to how it had been before the 'Corridor Incident', as it had been dubbed.
About a week after the return of Blacks, the other three-fourths of Hogwarts had calmed down and the hype had finally left them. The students found better things to gossip over, such as the betrothal contract between seventh years Molly Prewett and Arthur Weasley, the detentions and point-loss of Gryffindor due to yet another prank by the Prewett twins, how the Ravenclaw pureblood sixth year prefect Reginald Davis had been caught by Professor Sprout doing rather sandalous things with a forth year muggleborn named Martha Wayworth behind one of her greenhouses and what the outcome of the up-coming Gryffindor versus Slytherin match would be...
And soon, the 'Corridor Incident' had become just another one of the many things the Hogwarts gossip mill had produced and within a month, it had been forgotten.
Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the dungeons to start his patrol. He held his hand out, and Lyra Black accepted it, looping her arm into his shortly after, as dictated by their customs and etiquette.
He smiled at her, and she returned it as they both started their patrol, looking straight ahead.
The patrols were actually an excellent excuse for the two of them to discuss things without having to worry about others over-hearing them. In the past, they had made plans regarding the Court, traded opinions regarding politics, people, magical theories, and really, everything during their patrols.
Tonight was no different.
"How fares your brother?" Lucius Malfoy inquired politely.
Lyra raised her eyebrows. "Out of everything you could have started with, must you have chosen that topic?"
"You don't like it?" Lucius asked curiously
"It's nothing like that..." Lyra replied. "I'm worried about my brother and I appreciate everybody's concern over him, no matter how insincere they may be; but I am tired of repeating the same answer to different people, multiple times."
Lucius chuckled. "You might not be alone in feeling such. I heard that Bellatrix hexed at least six students earlier for asking the same question as I..."
Lyra smiled. "I appreciate the concern, Lucius, truly I do; but you already know what's going on, and I do not wish to speak about it. Thinking about Sirius's previous state is..."
"-hard." Lucius finished for her knowingly. "Completely understandable. Nobody likes to think of their loved one in such a position."
Lyra dimpled again. "Thank you."
Lucius inclined his head. "Of course."
They walked in silence for a few more minutes before starting to talk about the common 'safe' topics like House Slytherin and politics. Politics in turn brought them to talk about alliances, and alliances made them talk about marriage.
"With the way father has been acting about my union, one would think he expects me to get married within this week." Lucius said.
Lyra looked at him with amusement sparkling in her pretty grey eyes. "And with the way you have been acting about the union, one would think you were expected to fight a war."
"And how is marriage different from war, Lyra?" Lucius retorted. "In both cases, the opponents are analysed and normality is destroyed. In both cases -most of the time- somebody gets hurt, there are two dedicated parties and a cause for celebration along with a fear of trust and extreme levels of emotions are felt. 'All is fair in love and war', it is a famous quote; and there is a reason why love and war have been categorised so closely."
"True..." Lyra agreed. "But I personally feel that you are putting too much thought into this, Lucius. But there is one very big difference between marriage and war."
"And that is?" He asked curiously.
"In war, you can win somebody's happiness." Lyra replied with a smile. "And in marriage, you can be somebody's happiness."
Silence blanketed the two prefects for a minute or two.
"And speaking of unions," Lyra said breaking the silence, her eyes sparkling like her namesake in the dimly lit corridor where they were walking. "Which poor, unfortunate heiress's mental health do I have to pray for?"
Lucius raised a pale eyebrow. "What am I supposed to think upon such a comment, Heiress Black?" He drawled. "One would think that you consider ill of me for stating such a comment."
"Well maybe, one would be correct." Lyra said simply, as they continued patrolling the corridors.
"I am a Malfoy." Lucius scoffed. "I am of the Sacred 28. I am a pureblood, I am intelligent, wealthy, powerful and handsome. A lady should be thinking of herself lucky to even be considered by me."
Lyra sighed dramatically and smiled at him sympathetically. "Please continue thinking so, if that would help you sleep at night..."
Lucius narrowed his eyes at her. "You don't agree?"
"I never said that." Lyra answered calmly, amusement written on her face. "I just consider the implication of your statement that every lady would be honoured to be your bride a bit absurd, to be honest."
Lucius frowned his eyebrows. "Why?" He asked curiously, as if he had never even thought her statement to be possible. "Are you saying that you don't?"
Lyra dimpled at his question. "I think I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt on that."
Lucius searched her eyes for answers and upon receiving none, he just shook his head with a small, fond smile. "And yourself?"
Lyra raised an eyebrow, silently asking him to elaborate.
"Has Lord and Heir Black's decided any matches for you?" He asked.
"Possible suitors, yes." Lyra said. "But really? No. Grandfather and father have presented me with my options. They ask that I go on courtship-dates with each of them, and then I can choose my suitor between them. They gave me my deadline as graduation day, whereupon which if I still haven't made my decision, then they would pick a match for me." She explained. "I am happy with the arrangement, and graduation is still so far away, so I am not concerned about that at the moment."
Lucius stayed silent as she spoke, his face thoughtful. "Father and I made a similar arrangement as well." He revealed. "He gave me a few qualifications that the future Lady Malfoy must have -the usual, pureblood, beautiful, wealthy, elegant and educated- but other than that, he made it very clear that it would be my choice. He offered to assist me a little, but at the end, she would be my bride and it is my responsibility to continue to bring honour to the Malfoy name, so it would be my wish." He sighed a little. "Admittedly, this arrangement has brought me a lot of pressure. The future of the family rests in my choice, so it is... nerve-wracking." He admitted.
Lyra nodded knowingly and gave him a smile. "You'll do well, I know you will." She assured.
Lucius threw her a grateful look.
"Have you started your quest to find the 'perfect' bride already?" Lyra asked.
"A little." Lucius confessed.
"Well, as your fellow prefect, it is my duty to assist you in anyway I can." Lyra said dramatically. "Might I suggest members from your fan club?"
Lucius raised an eyebrow at that. "My fan club?"
"Oh yes." Lyra nodded. "They meet every Thursday -apparently, that was the day you were born- and each of them try their very best to stake their claim on you and trade information about you with each other -you know, what you like, your allergies, and what not..."
"You jest, Lyra."
"I am not jesting, Lucius." Lyra replied sincerely, making Lucius look at her in shock. "I only know of this because I overheard two of the younger Slytherin girls speaking about that."
"Really?" Lucius asked. Upon her nod of confirmation, he looked at her smugly. "Well, this is to be expected, of course. I am a Malfoy and-"
"You should know however," Lyra said, interrupting him. Her ever-amused eyes sparkling brightly. "That a certain Miss Sewlyn is the Head of your fan club."
Lucius's lips twisted in disgust at that. "Miss Sewlyn?"
"Yes." Lyra drawled, finding humour in the various expressions of discomfort Lucius was making. "The last time I talked to her, she seemed quite sure of herself in the fact that the two of you would make a fetching couple, and an even more beautiful baby together."
An image unwillingly flashed in Lucius' mind of a baby with his platinum blonde hair and her toad-like features, making him mentally shudder.
Lucius scowled. "Don't jest about such matters, Lyra. It isn't funny."
Lyra raised a perfect eyebrow. "And what makes you think I am lying, Heir Malfoy?" She drawled coldly.
But Lucius knew that she wasn't offended at his remark, as the two of them had a sort of habit at using each other's title in a casual, teasing manner. As in, when they used each other's title, it was to let the other subtly know that they weren't being serious in their statement.
"Apologies, Heiress Black." Lucius said, "but being the Lady Malfoy is a very important position and an even greater honour. I can only think of very few (one, to be exact) ladies who can truly respect the title. And naive as I might sound, I want a partner who I can form a companionship with." He said, giving her a subtle glance as he made his statement and was a little disappointed to see her looking straight ahead.
"Well, with respect to that statement, I am sure Alexandria Flint and yourself will make a lovely couple." Lyra commented.
Lucius Malfoy paused in his steps for a second before continuing to walk, Lyra's arms still linked to his. "That's not who I was thinking about."
"Carmine Crabbe, then." Lyra said. "Or perhaps Amaya Shafiq? If my memory serves me right, then she seems quite taken with you, and you with her."
"I am not taken with her." Lucius defended.
Lyra gave him a 'Oh really?' look, before continuing to look straight ahead. "Well, then. The whole thirty seconds Ms Shafiq waited before entering the Great Hall after you was completely not suspicious." She said casually. "Nor was the fact that her footing had a slight limp and the two of you sported matching... bruises on your necks."
Lucius Malfoy's cheeks lightly pinked. "Actually," He started, trying to shift the conversation and most importantly, divert the topic from his past escapades. "It's been more than five centuries since the re-union of Houses Malfoy and Black. Although at the end it's my choice, father has been asking me to consider the House of Black first and foremost." He glanced at her as he said this, before looking straight ahead once more.
Lyra made a humming noise. "Bellatrix is being considered for the Lestranges, and Andromeda for the Flints." She said before smiling at him. "I have no doubt that you and Narcissa will make a fetching couple."
Lucius gave her a wide-eyed look. "Lyra!" He exclaimed before shaking his head in disbelief.
In doing so, he didn't notice the sly smirk playing on her lips that disappeared within a second.
Lucius sighed as he walked. "Father talked to yours during the Nott's ball." He admitted. "He thinks you and I are a good match for each other. Both of us are prefects, the rulers of Slytherin and the top two of our year."
His fellow prefect made a humming noise once again. "And..." Lyra prompted. "What did my father say?"
Lucius scowled. "Apparently, the whole time, Heir Black boasted about your top position in academics. He challenged me to secure the first position before he made any decisions."
Lyra giggled. "Good luck with that. I'm not going to be lenient and let you win."
"Oh I don't mind you being first, really." Lucius said casually, a smirk playing on his lips. "I actually like having a woman on top of me."
Lyra stopped in her steps, pulling Lucius back with her.
"Is there a problem, Heiress Black?" Lucius asked innocently.
Lyra narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a sugar-coated smile. "Absolutely nothing, Heir Malfoy." She said sweetly. "I was just wondering whether or not I should join your fan club as I find myself completely shy and flushed at such a bold request." She stated drily. "Or was it an offer?" She asked casually before sighing. "I wonder what my father would say upon hearing that his beloved daughter has been given such romantic and passionate gestures by the Heir of House Malfoy?" She mused.
Lucius smiled. "You didn't deny me, though." He pointed out.
Lyra looked at him the same way his mother had looked at him when she was trying to explain something that she knew he wouldn't understand. "It is called giving somebody the benefit of doubt, Lucius." She said calmly. "However, if you dare make such an inappropriate comment the next time, Heir Malfoy," She said, a twisted smirk on her lips. "You will... disappear." She stated. "And nobody will know where you are except me, and the poor fishermen who found your mutated body scattered across the seven sea's." She smiled sweetly at him again.
Lucius didn't look put out by her statement, even though internally, he shivered a bit. "Attempting to kill the Heir to a Most Ancient and Noble House is a serious offence, Heiress Black." He pointed out drily.
"Innocence until proven guilty, Heir Malfoy." She retorted. "There are ways to lie during Veritaserum and there are many loopholes for oaths, you know that as well as I. And you -the only witness- wouldn't live to testify in Court."
It was all true, and he knew that if he was anybody but him, then she would follow through to her word.
Perhaps he was being a brash Gryffindor at the moment, but he didn't particularly care. He liked her. She was intoxicating. She was refreshing. She was a beautiful flower in a field of buds.
He was a Malfoy, and he always got what he wanted.
"I expect no less from you, Heiress Black." Lucius replied with a charming grin before swiftly changed the topic of discussion once again. "What are you planning to do in the future?"
Lyra looked thoughtful. "I'm interested in healing." She admitted, surprising Lucius. "I suppose that it would be a useful subject to learn."
"It is." He agreed, and it was.
Healing was a very dangerous subject, because in reality, there was so much that could go wrong. It was also a very demanding subject, and if one were to be a healer, they were required to have nothing less than an O in Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology in their NEWTS; along with two other subjects of their choice. Then, they would be required to apprenticeship with an experienced healer for no less than two years, during which period, they would have to complete many, many written tests. It was a very tasking mastery to earn, and not many people choose to take it up because of either not having met all the qualifications, or due to it being very difficult. But for the few who did grow up to engage in healing, they were in demand, highly respected and earned quite a pretty gallon.
"And yourself?" Lyra asked.
"I shall be taking over my father's duties in the Wizengamot." Lucius replied proudly. "And will be handling all the property management and investing that we've done in course of time. As tradition dictates, I shall also earn a mastery in a subject I desire."
Lyra giggled. "History, then?" She asked knowingly. It was a well-guarded truth -only known to the Queen and a few others in the Slytherin Court- that Lucius Malfoy was very passionate about the events of the past.
"Yes." Lucius said, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's truly a fascinating subject, even if it is Binns who is teaching it." He said, scowling.
"I agree." Lyra said. "I suspect more people would follow your footsteps, had that ghost not spoilt that subject for us all. Remind me again, why the the Board of Governors haven't done anything about it yet?"
Lucius's scowl grew deeper. "Dumbledore." He spat. "The esteemed Headmaster," He mocked. "Thinks that dear Binns is an integral part of the education provided by Hogwarts."
"Binns was teaching him even when he was a student, correct?" At Lucius's nod, Lyra continued. "Then perhaps that is why. Maybe Dumbledore thinks that since he has suffered with Binns, we should face the same treatment."
Lucius laughed. "Maybe." He agreed. It did sound like a valid theory. "But I'll write to my father again. History is a wonderful subject that teaches us too much. It is vital to our education, and I am not going to let Binns spoil it for me. More than he already has, that is."
"I'll do the same." Lyra said. "Grandfather is insisting that my darling brothers resume their education in Hogwarts the following year. Regulus shares your passion for History, Lucius; and I do not want that flame to be extinguished because of an incompetent professor."
"Excellent, and I'll be happy to talk to Regulus on this subject." Lucius smiled before growing serious. "We'll need three-fourths votes to change a teacher from the Board of Governors, not just a simple majority. So that means nine out of the twelve Governors have to agree with the proposition. Dumbledore's pets won't disagree with anything he doesn't."
"I know." Lyra said. "But I am sure that they all remember their own boring history classes. We can use that against them. We can also start a petition around Hogwarts to remove Binns. Hogwarts is there for the sole purpose of teaching students. With the amount of students that I know will want a change in professors, not even Dumbledore can reject the idea."
Lucius nodded. "We'll circulate it tomorrow. First in our own house, then the Ravenclaws who are possibly the only people more upset than I about the teaching standards of History. Then the Hufflepuffs, and at last, the Gryffindors; because let's be real. Their pride won't allow them to agree on any thing as the slimy snakes." He sneered.
"I do not know why they think snakes are slimy." Lyra mused. "They are actually quite smooth. I will be more than willing to set Phobos, Sally and Mort on them to prove my point."
The corners of Lucius's lips tilted upwards. "That," he said. "I would pay to see."
"Don't be silly, Lucius." Lyra said. "For I would ask no charges for such wonderful entertainment, especially if it involves mud bloods."
They laughed together.
Their joint patrol had ended more than fifteen minutes ago, but they didn't care. They talked some more, as they walked back towards the Slytherin Common Room; their conversation becoming strictly more formal the closer they got, and their previously laughing expressions now becoming carefully masked to cool, calm gazes.
The two of them shared one quick, secret smile, though; before simultaneously and formally inclining their heads to each other and parting ways to their respective rooms.
"Lucius," Lyra greeted the next day as she walked towards him, each step pronounced with the grace of an experienced ballerina.
It was sometime after lunch, and the Greens of the Slytherin Court were surrounding their King at one of the corridors near the Great Hall, whispering in hushed tones.
At the sight of their Queen coming closer, they all inclined their heads and bent it slightly down, as a show of respect. Lyra nodded in return. Sensing that she wanted to speak to the King alone, the Greens bid the two prefects farewell and left, but not before Theodore Nott gave his best friend a smirk.
"Lyra." Lucius greeted back, soon after they left. "What's new?"
"I thought you might like to see the petition to get a new History teacher." Lyra smiled as she handed him a very long parchment sheet that already looked to contain more than a hundred ascents scribbled on it. "I've covered the signatures of everybody in Slytherin. You are the only one left."
"Thank you." Lucius said. "I'll sign it and give it to one of the Ravenclaws to spread it around. By dinner tonight, I'm confident that we can fill it up completely with signatures and then I'll send it to my father tomorrow morning."
"Alright." Lyra replied. "On another note, I spoke to Dennis earlier and he-" She abruptly broke off in the middle of her sentence, and smiled amusedly while looking behind his shoulders.
Lucius frowned his eyebrows. "Lyra?" He asked questioningly.
A merriment smile grew on her face as her eyes found his again. "Our conversation is about to be interrupted." She stated. "I might not take Divination classes nor might I be a seer, but I prophesies great entertainment in the near future. For me, at least."
He continued to frown his eyebrows. Just as he was about to open his mouth to inquire about her statement, the source of her apparent entertainment nervously walked towards them.
The -clearly first year- Gryffindor girl glared heavily at an utterly amused Lyra Black before fixing her attention on him and blushing. He raised an eyebrow at the girl's actions.
The girl boldly spoke, even though her cheeks resembled a tomato. "Malfoy, you are the cutest boy I have ever seen." She confessed sincerely before hurrying back to her giggling friends, running in a very unladylike manner -that gave away her blood status as either a filthy mud blood or a muggle-raised half-blood, the latter being just a micrometer much better than the former- and squealing and talking to them excitedly as soon as she reached them, glancing at him -not so subtly- every few seconds.
Lucius Malfoy was frozen at her statement.
Lyra Black laughed. "The mud blood isn't wrong, you know." She said, as her laugher decreased to giggles. Lyra's grey eyes pursued him from the top of his head to his polished, shining shoes with apprehension. "You are very cute, Heir Malfoy." She stated in the most serious voice he had ever heard her use and with a straight face. Her eyes that constantly sparkled in amusement, however, ruined the effect.
Lucius scowled. "I most certainly am not cute." He spat the last word like a swear.
He really wasn't. He was the Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy and not to even mention, the current King of Slytherin. He was handsome, attractive, appealing, fanciable, desirable and more. However, he certainly wasn't cute.
How dare that mud-blood attempt to ruin his reputation? He was a member of the Sacred 28. To do such a thing was not only unthinkable, but also unforgivable. To make it worse, that thing did such an act in front of Lyra Black of all people, who was perhaps his only equal in everything. (His pride wouldn't let him admit the fact that she was perhaps a little better than himself).
Lyra giggled again. "I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt." She smiled as she told him her oft-repeated statement, making him scowl deeper. She cast a quick tempus. "I have class in twelve minutes and I have to meet Bella before that. So I'll talk to you later, then?"
Lucius continued scowling, stubbornly refusing to talk to her.
"Alright then." Lyra said, her voice monotonous. "Do continue being callous. It surely sets a wonderful example for the younger years. Don't mind me, I'm just going to make a quick stop to chat with Miss Sewlyn now. I'm sure she'll be delighted to know that she has a few more members to admit into her club. I'm sure she'll be even more delighted to hear the title you've been bestowed with by them." She finished speaking and started to walk further into the corridor.
Lucius scowled deeper before walking and easily catching up with her. "I'll see you later as well." He replied, unknowingly returning her smile as she dimpled at his presence.
Lyra nodded and inclined her head a little, a smile still playing on her lips and her dimples deepening as she took a turn at a hallway to meet up with her cousin.
It was the dimples, Lucius decided as he looked at her converse with her cousin. It had to be the desire to see her dimples that made him surrender to their arguments each and every time.
A fond smirk appeared on his face before he shook his head and left to find one of the Flints.
After all, they had a much awaited Quidditch game to win in a few days.
Hearing the words, 'Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch Match' awoke various reactions and emotions among different people.
For Lyra Black, it ranged between amusement to absolute disbelief.
To be honest, she didn't care much about Quidditch, much to the disappointment of her grandmother Irma. But to actually utter such words out loud would be considered a great sin at Hogwarts. It wasn't that she didn't like Quidditch, it was simply the loudness, injuries and the rough-housing parts that she tended to dislike.
To quote her god-brother James, there were only two kinds of people- those who liked Quidditch and those who made very poor life choices.
She was sure Lucius would agree with James on that, considering the Heir to the House of Malfoy was very serious when it came to Quidditch. To him, it had started out merely as a way to escape being 'proper' and behaving well for a few minutes, but then, he genuinely started to enjoy it.
Which was why on the morning of the first ever match played by Slytherin that year -against their arch rivals, Gryffindor no less- Lyra had to really test her patience as she watched and helped Lucius Malfoy dutifully perform all forty-nine (arithmetically, a very good number being the square of seven) of his pre-game rituals.
Some of his superstitions were borderline absurd -something that she never failed to mention when she was pulled in to help him, and was also considered to be pre-game ritual number twenty six- and the rest were divided between being utterly stupid and clinically insane.
And as Lyra watched Lucius Malfoy tap his feet to the sound of 'Dance With The Hippogriffs' while writing and scratching the word 'Lion' on a piece of parchment seven times, she couldn't help but blame herself for that wonderful day, way back in their second year.
Slytherin had lost every single match they had played during her first year of Hogwarts (yes, even against the Hufflepuffs. They were that bad back then). So when Lucius had been accepted to the Slytherin Quidditch team during their second year as a chaser, he had been very nervous to play his first ever match because Lucius hated losing. In fact, Lucius feared failure so much that it was actually his boggart, as she had discovered in their third year DADA class.
Lyra had been quite irritated with the way he had been acting, so she had proceeded to steal his silver and green scarf -mostly because it was cold and she had left her's in her room, draw a small snake picture on his inner left forearm and tell him to eat his breakfast or else she would force it down his throat.
Slytherin won their first match that day in a year and Lucius was ecstatic. However, instead of believing that they had won the game based on teamwork, determination, effort and the literal blood, sweat and tears that they had shed during their practise, he had come to believe that it was due to his morning routine.
So, before any match he played, he would ritualistically do every single thing that he had done on that day in second year.
The fact that Slytherin had been winning the Quidditch Cup ever since only fuelled his belief about his 'pre-game routine' as he preferred to term it because, "It is not a ritual, Lyra!"
A few girls giggled as Lucius Malfoy sat beside her, handed her a pot of ink and a quill, rolled out his sleeves, stuck out his left arm and looked at her expectantly.
Sighing, she took the quill and drew a snake on his inner arm.
"Eat your breakfast, or I will force it down your throat." She said tiredly before taking his scarf from where it was wrapped around his neck.
Lucius Malfoy frowned. "You messed up the order."
"Continue talking, and I'll mess up your face." Lyra promised before giving him a small smile. "Good luck."
"I don't need luck when I know you'll be watching," he replied with a wink.
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Just go, or I won't go."
Lucius chuckled as he stood up. "Alright. Goodbye, Lyra. I'll see you at the victory party." He said as he turned around and began to walk out the great hall.
Lyra held up three fingers, and slowly started to fold each of them. "Three... Two... One."
Lucius Malfoy came back and once again, took a seat beside her. He wore what everybody would assume to be a frown, but she knew to be a sheepish look.
"I forgot to eat my breakfast." He said, helping himself to some eggs.
"You forgot a lot of things today," Lyra began as she put some fruit on his plate. "like tying your shoes, for instance."
Lucius looked down at his shoes to see that it was in deed, untied. He muttered a spell under his breath to tie it quickly and frowned. "I don't know what happened to me today."
"You must be worried or anxious about something," Lyra suggested. "You can rant it to me right now, if you would like to. It is very bad to keep such things built up in your mind on such a significant day."
Lucius gave her a half-smile. "I am a little... worried about something." He confessed.
"Oh? Do tell."
"You wouldn't be interested."
"Indulge me anyway, then." Lyra said. "And don't you dare lie and say that you are worried about the Quidditch match. I know you better, Lucius."
Lucius gave her a small smile as he ate his fruit. "May I ask you something a little personal?"
"Depends,"
"I need help."
"I've already helped you with your ritual for today."
"Firstly, it's not a ritual- it's a routine. And secondly, I need help in... understanding woman."
Lyra gave him a sympathetic look. "Sorry, Lucius, but I can't help you with that. I myself, am still trying to understand the enigma that is woman."
"I need assistance- advice, if you would," Lucius said, eyes fixed on the strawberry on his fork. "To... woo a lady."
Lyra turned to face Lucius at that, giving him all her attention. "Finally decided to woo Miss Shafiq?" She asked, eyes twinkling.
Lucius's eyes widened. "Lyra! I'm trying to be serious!"
"You're trying to impersonate my brother?"
"Lyra!"
"Sorry," Lyra laughed, "I'll stop now. Please continue and tell me which girl managed to capture the heart of Heir Apparent Lucius Abraxas of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy."
Lucius scowled. "I can't tell you her name."
"Can't or won't?"
"Both," Lucius replied. "But tell me how I should confess to her."
Lyra looked thoughtful. "Well, that depends on the girl."
"How so?" Lucius asked, intrigued.
"It's hard to explain," Lyra said, "but I could help you better if you tell me more about her. You don't have to tell me her name, if you don't want to. Simply tell me about her."
"Well," Lucius began, "she's perfect, really."
"More specific, Lucius." Lyra insisted.
Lucius hesitated. "I can't. The girl I like- she is a beautifully complex masterpiece. It would be sinful of me to try and break her down or compartmentalise her."
Lyra pursed her lips at his words. "Alright then. If you are unwilling to give me anything about her, then the best way to confess would be to just be straight-forward about it."
"Straight-forward in what way?"
"Look her in the eyes and tell her how you feel."
Lucius finally set down his fork and turned to face her, "I love you."
Lyra clapped her hands. "That is perfect, Lucius! That is exactly what you are supposed to say to her!"
Lucius's mouth dropped by a centimetre before he shut it immediately. "Thank you for the advise, Lyra. But what if that doesn't work?" He asked stiffly.
Lyra looked at him doubtfully. "I am extremely confident it will work."
"The girl I like happens to be very oblivious."
Lyra tilted her head. "I thought you weren't going to 'break her down or compartmentalise her'?"
"Times change."
"It's been twenty seconds."
"Time is ever constant and ever moving. Twenty seconds is a lot of time for a man to change his mind."
"Technically, as you aren't seventeen yet, you are still considered a boy." She said pointedly. "And eat your fruit."
"Lyra," Lucius said, suddenly looking tired, "What do I do if the girl is oblivious?"
Lyra hummed thoughtfully before looking excited. "You have the Quidditch game today, don't you? Why don't you confess to her when Slytherin wins?"
"Are you sure that will work? That she will understand that I am confessing to her?" Lucius asked slowly.
"I'm positive. I sincerely doubt anybody could mistake that big of a gesture." Lyra stated.
Lucius nodded at her words before eating the last bit of fruit on his plate and standing up. "Alright, I'll take my leave now. Wish me good luck for the match."
"I thought you didn't need luck as long as I was there..." Lyra teased, but Lucius looked profound.
"Trust me when I say that for this match, I need both you and luck to be there." He said, and after an exchange of greeting, he walked to the archway of the Great Hall where the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team were respectfully waiting for him.
"You do know that he was talking about you, right?" A voice asked, making Lyra turn to face the speaker with a raised eyebrow.
"Pardon?"
"The oblivious girl that Heir Malfoy likes and wanted to confess to? You do realise that he was talking about you, don't you?" Narcissa Black asked, leaning on the table.
Lyra laughed. "One would have to be extremely stupid to not."
Narcissa looked shocked. "You know?" And at her cousin's nod, she continued to speak, "So why didn't you accept it?"
"Because I'm a Black." Lyra replied. "I want a big romantic gesture, for example, confessing or dedicating the Slytherin victory to me. There was no way I was going to be proposed to in the Great Hall surrounded by loud, hungry teenagers. Lucius needed a little push, and I simply gave it to him."
Narcissa smiled. "I want to be just like you when I grow up." She declared.
"Oh Cissa, you already are. It's all in the Black genes." Lyra replied with a smirk.
Narcissa laughed before raising her goblet of water. "To the Black genes."
"To the Black genes," Lyra agreed, as they clicked their goblets together. "Now come on. We have a Quidditch match to go to."