2 The Letter & School Supplies

7th July 1991, Bones Manor.

It was Lyra's 11th birthday that day. And as we all know, for all wizards and witches, their 11th birthday was somewhat special. So, there she was, in the living room, sitting on the couch, treating herself to her favourite chocolate cake to enjoy her special day in peace.

"Lyra! Here's your Hogwarts letter.", Susan yelled as she came running to her.

"Don't yell, you idiot. It's just the letter." Lyra nonchalantly said as she placed her fork and plate down on the table nearby. She wasn't excited to go to school.

Nope. Not at all.

Well, maybe a little, but not that much.

"Hey, it's your school admission letter!!! And I'm not an idiot, but you are!" Susan sat down beside Lyra as she passed the letter to her.

Rolling her eyes at her cousin, Lyra kept the letter away without even taking a glance at it. Nobody could disturb her while she was enjoying her darling chocolate cake.

"You aren't going to take a look at it?" Susan asked not understanding Lyra's nonchalance.

"It would be the same as yours, Susan. Except for the name, of course, and I have already looked through your letter when it arrived," Lyra reasoned.

Susan was Lyra's cousin, her mother's second elder brother's daughter. But her parents were killed by Oldie-Voldy during the first wizarding war and she's been living with Lyra and her mother ever since. But Susan equally spends time at her maternal aunt's place, the Abbot Manor.

Let's just say that Lyra and Susan were as close as sisters. Not as close as Susan and Hannah were, but still close.

Despite their closeness, Lyra could not understand was why Susan was so excited to go to school. They already had private tutors for the subjects that don't require wands. Though they didn't learn much, it would definitely give them a headstart at school. Therefore, the reason cannot be 'learning new things'.

They get to buy their wands after their 11th birthday, and that's definitely exciting, but school? A boarding school at that? To think that she'd be forced to live with that many people...

Eeew.

Making friends was one thing, but just the thought of sleeping in the same room with a bunch of people who she barely knew made her feel repulsed. She absolutely hated the crowd and she was only comfortable with the people she knew.

Thinking that she didn't have to worry much if she could get into the same house as all of her friends: Daphane, Susan and Hannah, she didn't find it that annoying anymore.

On the other hand, the thought of learning to use magic cheered her up.

To actually use magic.

That was the only reason for Lyra to go to school. And she heard from a little birdy that there were many secret corridors at Hogwarts. It would be nice if she got to find them all.

Lyra got two letters: one from Hogwarts, and another from Beauxbatons. Susan's birthday was in May and she also got two letters.

But Lyra's mother, Amelia Bones, felt that Susan and Lyra were better off at Hogwarts.

According to Amelia, they would have to wait until the end of the month to get their school supplies and so, of course, their wands had to wait too. Amelia was busy with her work at the Ministry. She was always busy with her work. She was the head of DMLE after all. So it was understandable.

But still, Lyra wondered how she was going to manage attending school?

Whatever.

Putting aside her repulsive thoughts about school, Lyra went back to her room as Susan went to visit Hannah.

Children are advised not to try magic (including wandless) until they turn 11, as their magic core wouldn't have matured, and over exhaustion could seriously damage their core. (Accidental magic doesn't cause over exhaustion in most cases, so it's fine). That's why Lyra didn't try magic until her 11th birthday. Excited at the thought of using magic from that day onwards, Lyra spent her time in the library, trying wandless magic as she didn't have a wand yet.

She tried to lift a book using magic. It was not a spell. She was not going to try spells without her wand.

And Lyra felt that most of the spells were boring after reading about them for a while.

She was trying to use her intent to control magic. It was 'Intent-based magic' to be exact.

'Imagine if you can control magic at will... How cool is that?', was what she thought.

Although many wizards try not to do it as it would take a long time to master, she wanted to try it, no matter how long it might take.

As expected, she didn't get any progress, but as a stubborn girl to the bone, she was not giving it up.

...

Amelia returned from her work in the evening and beckoned Lyra to get ready for her Birthday party. Only then Lyra remembered that she was supposed to have a birthday party that night. She forgot about it due to her excitement in learning intent-based magic.

Since Amelia was THE head of DMLE, the majority would attend Lyra's birthday party. And, in every Magical Family, the tradition was to hold birthday parties for their children at ages 5, 7, and 11 compulsorily. Although Amelia was the kind who was didn't like those stuff, she felt that Lyra should at least get used to deal with these kinds of people. Why else would she arrange that kind of party?

Lyra, although unwilling, knew that her mum was right and agreed to attend. Not that she had a chance to refuse. She didn't like it. Not even one bit. She stomped her foot as Minny, their house-elf helped her get ready for the event.

'Merlin, why is my life so miserable?'

Why in the name of Merlin's smelly robes should she not spend her birthday happily, instead of sitting in the middle of a crowd which has fake smiles all across their faces?

If she had to be optimistic, at least, she got to spend time with her friends. They were not like the others. And they were genuine. Hannah had a sunny personality and was Susan's best friend (it should be said as 'Susan's twin from another mother ', but Lyra would never admit it) and Lyra didn't like Hannah a little for some reason. (Well, it's obvious why...)

As for Daphane... though she didn't speak much and was very cold to others (except friends family of course), she was Lyra's best friend. Lyra and Susan were almost sisters, so that doesn't count. Basically, the four of them always hung out together at these boring parties.

While trying to remember all the things that her etiquette teacher taught her, Lyra slowly descended the stairs of the Ballroom.

Everybody's gazes fell on her. A few genuinely curious, a few with contempt and a few full of eagerness(to suck up to Madam Bones' only daughter, of course).

Stand straight, with pride; A polite smile on the lips; Don't look at others. Walk confidently, at a steady pace. Neither too fast, nor too slow.

Lyra walked past the guests and went to stand along with her family. Amelia smiled and introduced her to the crowd.

Looking around, she could see the Abbots, Tonks and Greengrasses. But she couldn't find her Uncle Remus and asked Amelia, "Mum, where's Uncle Remus?"

"I invited him, but he said that the others might not like it, and said he'll just send a present."

"This is my birthday party, who cares whether the others like it or not?"

"Well, apparently, your uncle Remus seems to care"

"Hmph, I'll not talk to him, when he comes looking for me," Lyra huffed and went to greet the Abbots and Greengrasses.

After greeting them, she went to her cousin Tonks with a mischievous smile, "Hello there Nymphadora!"

As soon as she heard that, Nymphadora Tonks was fuming with anger, "You little-", but before she could finish that, she controlled herself. If her mother (Andy) heard her, she'd be in trouble, and it was the little brat's birthday, after all, so she decided to let it slide and said with a sigh, "Don't call me that, Ly"

"Okay okay, Sis Dora"

The Tonks left after they chatted for a little while as Andromeda was called to St. Mungos to attend an emergency case. So, Lyra had to return to where her mother and Susan were standing.

Amelia made Lyra and Susan stand together and then left to entertain guests. And the two girls should be in charge of entertaining those who were of their age. As much as Lyra wanted to throw this job at Susan and leave, she decided against it thinking of the consequences she'd have to suffer.

'Endure Lyra.'

....

"Do you know who her father is?"

"Oh, I know... It is rumoured that he's a muggle and he got Madam Bones got pregnant out of wedlock."

"So... She's a half-blood...?"

"Actually, it's lesser than Half-Blood. See... Her father wasn't even a muggle-born wizard. He's a muggle"

Lyra heard some of the girls' whisper. It was Pansy Parkinson and her group. But there was a pair of twins that caught her eye. Parvati and Padma Patil. They were standing beside Pansy Parkinson, but they didn't talk bad about Lyra and looked at Lyra apologetically. But Pansy and the others still didn't stop.

'Ok, Lyra. It is okay. Ignore them' she told herself. And Susan took Lyra's hand in hers to tell her to calm down. Lyra took a deep breath and controlled herself.

Actually, as far as blood status was concerned, Lyra was a Pureblood. But, she didn't want to talk about it. She doesn't care about blood status anyway.

But still, it was annoying as they didn't even stop and kept on talking.

"But look, Madam Bones is wearing a wedding ring..."

"She is probably wearing it to avoid the humiliation that comes with it. Anyway, that man must have refused to marry her and ran away..."

Lyra clenched her fists. They can talk about her, but they should have never talked about her mum. Just as she was about to yell at them to stop, someone beat her to it.

"Shut it, will you?!" A girl yelled.

If she hadn't spoken, Lyra never would have noticed that she was there.

It was Carina Malfoy, Draco Malfoy's twin sister.

Though she was his twin, she was nothing like him. While Draco was an arrogant attention-seeking prat, she was a sweet girl. It was rumoured that she had a weak physique from a very young age. She didn't often attend parties like these and didn't have any friends.

When Lyra and Susan went to thank her, Lyra expressed her wish to be her friend. Carina accepted Lyra's offer happily.

As the three were talking, Daphane and Hannah joined them.

....

Just as the party ended, Lyra pulled Daphane and the others to her room.

"Ah, finally. Away from that mess." Daphane sighed in relief.

"Yeah", they all agreed with her.

"And I assume everyone here would be attending Hogwarts?" Hannah asked.

" Yeah, Hogwarts. At least it would be near home." Lyra said, but her mouth curled downwards in her distaste towards the shared dorms.

"My dad wanted me to go to Beauxbatons, but mum disagreed. Finally, it's been decided that I'd go to Hogwarts" Carina sighed.

"Thank goodness, It'd be too bad if you go to Beauxbatons. And, have you got your school supplies? When are you going to go?" Daphane asked.

" At the end of this month apparently... Mum's busy with work" Lyra said.

" When you guys go, inform me too. I'll come along with you"

So, all of them (except Hannah as she had already bought them) decided to go together to get their school supplies.

"Okay... At least, now I have something to look forward to" Lyra smiled.

"Which house do you think you would be in? I think I'd be in Slytherin" Daphane said.

"Well, my whole family comes from Slytherin. It would be no surprise that I'd be in Slytherin. I personally think I have the qualities of all the houses except for Griffindor. It's not like I'm not brave or something like that. But I think I'm not that brave."

" Oh Carina, don't say something like that. You are brave. If not, you wouldn't have stood up for me." Lyra said as Carina blushed. "But I don't think your family would like you to be in Griffindor" Lyra added.

"Well, they'd be disappointed for some time. But they'll come around, except for Draco. They're my family after all."

And they talked for some time. Then all of them left.

Lyra stretched herself. After the long and exhausting day, she decided to sleep. After eating of course.

....

31 July 1991.

Lyra was very excited, as that was the day on which she, Susan, Daphane, and Carina promised to go and get their school supplies and she was going to get her very own wand.

‌At that time, she had already gotten ready and was waiting for her mum and Susan to come down for breakfast.

‌Minny, the house-elf began to set the breakfast on the Dining Table as Amelia and Susan came down.

‌When they all started eating, Susan inquired, "So, how's work nowadays, aunt?"

‌"The same as always... But, ever since Fudge became the minister, the funds allocated for DMLE is reduced. And I don't even know why he became the minister, he couldn't even handle simple things."

‌"I heard that he's asking Dumbledore for advice. Is it true?" Lyra asked and Amelia confirmed it, "Yeah, it's true. If not, the Ministry would already be a complete mess, as if it is not one already"

‌After that, Daphane flooed over the Bones manor. A few minutes later, Carina, Draco, and Narcissa came over. Daphane had been visiting the Bones ever since she was little and her parents trusted Amelia, so they let her go with them. But Narcissa Malfoy didn't seem to trust them, or at least that's what it seemed like.

‌This was the first time for Narcissa to see Lyra up close. And the vice versa was true as well.

‌Lyra smiled at her when Narcissa looked over and Narcissa was shocked. Because Lyra's smile resembled one person that she knew...

‌Sirius Black.

‌Severus had told her once that he suspected Amelia's husband was Sirius. But she obviously couldn't believe it and now it seems to be the truth.

‌Ever since she was actually aware of what was going on, she had been jealous of Sirius Black. Her jealousy of Sirius stemmed down to both the similarities and differences that Sirius and Bellatrix had. Both were rebels, free-spirited and most importantly both were stubborn Blacks. But they had different parents. Sirius had Orion and Walburga, who just scolded him or tried to force him their beliefs. When they found out that he didn't share pureblood beliefs, they just blamed him or at worse, scolded him.

Bellatrix, on the other hand, had pureblood values, but she didn't want to be constrained by society and her power craving free-spirited personality didn't agree with what her parents wanted her to be: a constrained- restrained lady-like figure. But compared to the way Orion and Walburga treated Sirius, Cygnus was way harsher on Bellatrix. He used mind compulsion, and sometimes he even used the Imperius curse on her. When he realised that Bella got strong enough to resist, he straight away removed her memories, her feelings and everything that related to her free-spirited personality. But it still didn't stop Bellatrix, she somehow recovered her personality within a few days. The only damage it did was to her mind, she slowly became an unstable woman. Narcissa had to watch her sister transform from a normal girl to a crazy woman, but helpless to stop it. If only they had different parents, Bella wouldn't have become like that.

In her quest for power and freedom, Bella finally had joined the Death Eaters. Both Bella and Lucius had joined them, to Narcissa's dismay. Sure, she would promote blood supremacy, and she would do that even now, but being a Death Eater? No. But what could she do when they didn't want to listen? And when Lucius wanted to back away, it was already too late. What else could they do other than following through?

‌Thank Merlin that the war was over. If not, it would be simply madness.

‌Even though Sirius and her didn't get along, they were once close when they were young. The least he could have done was to inform her that he was getting married, right? She wasn't that untrustworthy. She never would have told Lucius about any of these, if he wanted her not to. How could he not have even that little bit of faith in her? Of course, she knew that he couldn't trust a family that supported Voldemort, but still, it hurt.

"So, it seems to be true... that you two secretly got married? After all, when she smiles, she does look like him"

‌Her tone was as if Amelia had done the most disgusting thing ever. Lyra was furious when she asked this.

‌Only Lyra and Amelia were near her. Susan, Daphane, Carina, and Draco were chatting as they sat on the Couch. So they couldn't hear her. If Amelia yelled at her, then just nice, it would be good to see her furious.

‌Just as Lyra was thinking about what to do, Amelia coolly said, "Sorry, Mrs Malfoy. It seems that you have a misconception here. It's not a 'secret marriage'. It's a 'private wedding' where only people close to us attend. I'm sorry if you didn't know about it. We are not really that close".

‌Narcissa was gnashing her teeth when she heard this.

‌Lyra felt that it was hard to control her laughter, but she somehow managed to do it. She also mentally gave her mum a thumbs up.

‌After that little episode, they all went to Leakey Cauldron via Amelia's car. When they entered, Tom, the Old Bartender greeted them.

‌"Madam. Bones! What a surprise! And Mrs Malfoy too! Came to buy supplies for Hogwarts?", Tom asked.

‌"Ah yes, Tom. Our children are going to start attending Hogwarts this year. Where're my manners, let me introduce them: Lyra and Susan Bones and these two are Carina and Draco Malfoy." Amelia introduced them, as Narcissa stood aside with crossed arms.

‌"Um... Hello..." Lyra greeted him.

‌"See you later Tom, got lots of shopping to do," Amelia said and they all walked to the back of the bar where a brick wall was located. Amelia tapped three times with her wand, and they entered Diagon Alley.

‌It's not that they didn't have any other means of entering Diagon Alley nor was it their first time there. It was merely tradition to enter through here when they first start shopping for school supplies.

‌Narcissa first went alone by herself to buy books for the twins. And Amelia went to withdraw money from Gringotts.

‌They left the children at Madam Malkin's Shop for buying uniforms and robes. First Draco took his measurements, then Daphane and Susan finished.

‌Then it was Lyra's turn. She gave her measurements and stepped down from the stool.

‌After Lyra, it was Carina's turn. As she was giving her measurements, the door opened and a nervous-looking boy around their age came in. He had black hair and green eyes. Somehow Lyra felt that he seemed familiar. As if she knew him.

‌Just then, Madam Malkins noticed him and asked, "Hogwarts, dear?" and the boy nodded.

‌"These children here are also starting at Hogwarts too. Wait a minute till I finish measuring her up" she said as she resumed measuring Carina.

‌The boy looked at them, and Lyra smiled at him and he smiled back nervously.

‌'Hmm... this boy lacks confidence', she thought.

‌It was then that Draco greeted him, "Hello," and asked, "Hogwarts, too?"

‌Lyra felt that it was an idiotic question. Wasn't it obvious that he was here to get his Hogwarts uniform?

‌"Yes", the boy said.

‌"My mother's next door buying books and after all of us finish measuring up, I'm gonna drag everyone off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why the first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully my father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

‌'This prat is really annoying. And I think, the boy dislikes him a bit after whatever he said just now.'

‌'Of course, who wouldn't?'

‌Just as he was about to open his mouth again, Lyra interfered, "Draco, can you please stop talking? It's really annoying."

‌"What is it to you?! I'm talking to him, not you. And I don't understand how my sister is friends with a person like you"

‌"What your sister does is none of your business and mind you...," Lyra smirked, "I thought that I was talking to someone who has common sense. If it isn't the case, my bad, I'm really sorry."

‌"You...", Draco was stumped for words.

‌'Heh... It feels good... Talking back...It is not bad at all...'

‌Just at that time Amelia came back from Gringotts and Carina also had finished giving measurements.

‌"Finished, children?", Amelia asked. and they all nodded.

‌

‌"Let's leave then. We've got a lot of things to shop"

‌

‌Lyra said bye to the boy and they all left.

‌When they were outside the shop, Lyra, with Amelia's permission, went shopping alone and took 5000 Galleons with her. (Yeah, they are crazy rich but low-key. The reason for their wealth would be revealed later or maybe not)

‌She first went to the trunks shop and booked a special order to make a custom made trunk which has 3 rooms. One for potions making, one study room (with a few bookshelves), and a bedroom. She also bought a simple enchanted trunk for now as the custom made one will take a lot of time to be made. It cost her 2000 galleons.

‌Then to Flourish and Blotts and bought as many books as she wanted to.

‌She bought 1 basic potion ingredient set and she also picked up other potion ingredients that caught her eye. Then she bought a Pewter Cauldron as mentioned in the letter and a silver cauldron for her own use ( because silver maintains the balance between the ingredients)

‌Now for the final part... her wand.

‌She headed towards Ollivanders' shop. It looked shabby and old and it read:

Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

A tinkling sound rang out from somewhere inside the shop as she stepped in. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single spindly chair. And it seemed as if there was no one inside.

‌Just as she thought of calling out, the bell tinkled again as someone stepped inside. It was the same brown-haired boy from Madam Malkin's shop and along with him, a giant man came in.

‌That must be Hagrid, she had heard about him from her mum.

‌Hagrid sat in the chair as the boy came and stood beside her.

‌She smiled at the boy and extended her hand, "We meet again. I'm Lyra Bones"

‌He smiled as he shook her hand, "I'm Harry Potter, nice to meet you"

‌'Aha... so he's Harry Potter... No wonder he seemed so familiar. And I'm so stupid to not notice his scar before.'

‌Just as she was shocked, he asked, "Have we met somewhere before?"

‌"Hey, we met just a few minutes ago at Madam Malkins' shop. You've forgotten already?", she joked.

‌"No no... I'm asking before that. When I first saw you, I thought you were somewhat familiar"

‌"Ahhh... why are you using such an old pickup line? Try something new, will you?"

‌"I really thought you're familiar. It wasn't a pickup line", he whined.

‌"Okay, okay. I'm just joking with you. You are so nervous. It wouldn't do you any good. So, relax alright?"

‌Lyra was silently relieved that she somehow dodged the bullet. Did she know him? Of course, she did. But that doesn't mean that she should tell him that now itself right? And it was a sensitive topic as well. She couldn't just go straight to him and tell him, "Hello, our fathers were friends during their time at Hogwarts but my father is being accused of murder and he is also said to be the one who betrayed your parents", could she?

‌At that time a voice came suddenly that the both of them jumped in shock.

‌"Good Afternoon"

‌It was Mr Ollivander.

‌

‌"Hello..." They both said awkwardly.

‌

‌"Ah, yes..." he said. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon, Harry Potter and Lyra... Bones"

‌'This guy seems to know something.'

‌"You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work." he said to Harry and then turned towards Lyra, " And you, Miss. Bones... you just look like your mother when she was here except for your hair and eyes, which you have gotten from your father. Am I right?"

‌'Yeah, he definitely knows.'

‌He continued to show off his memory as he told them about their parents' wands.

‌Then he looked at Harry's scar and told about how he regrets selling the wand to Voldemort. Whatever one might say, all Lyra could think was, ' He's very very creepy.'

‌Mr Ollivander wanted Lyra to try out wands first, but she refused and let Harry try first.

‌Harry tried a few, but they didn't suit him. And then finally one wand suited: 11 inches, holly and phoenix feather, supple.

‌And by the way, it's the brother wand of Voldemort's wand. And, Mr Ollivander was on about how curious he was of what Harry was to achieve in the future.

‌Then Harry paid for the wand and wanted to say goodbye to her, but Lyra interrupted him.

‌"By the way, Happy birthday, Harry"

‌"How do you know?", he asked.

‌"Well, who doesn't know the famous Harry Potter's birthday in the wizarding world?"

‌He looked clueless but he said goodbye as he left.

‌"Let's meet at Hogwarts, and look forward to my letter", she said as he left.

‌"Now, Miss Bones. Let's get you a wand shall we?"

=======

A/N: Yeah, I left her wand for the next chapter. Don't scold me for it...