Chapter 4

The fifth-year was speeding by fast. Soon enough, it was the end of spring break. I was sitting in the hall with Turner for a welcome back feast. That's when Taylor flint sat next to us. She was in our year and dating Alexander Pucey. "Did you hear there's gonna be a party in the room of requirement. You coming with us?" She asked. "Yes, we'll be there," I say. "Good. It starts at 9:00; see you there." She says then walks back to Alexander. "You really want to go?" He says, looking down at me. "Yes, and you don't have to come since I know you're not really your best self cause of O.W.L.S," I say. Turner has been down all year. We haven't seen as much of each other, and he's been very distant. I know he has a lot of pressure on him to do well on his O.W.L.S by his parents. But that has been a good excuse for me to be around Sirius and the rest of the Marauders. We were all really well acquainted by now. The only one that still hates me is Potter, and I was okay with that. All I really care about is making sure Sirius is safe.

"Thanks, babe," Turner says, kissing the top of my head. I smile and turn to Reg. He was a fake gagging. "You guys are so gross." He says. I roll my eyes. "It's cause we love each other, and you'll see what it's like when you get a girlfriend," I say. He rolls his eyes. I've been trying t get him to talk to Sirius, but he won't do it. All I know is it's because he abandoned us, not the other way around.

Soon we were done eating and heading down to the dungeons. Turner stayed behind to talk to someone, so I was walking with Taylor and all the girls in our dorm. We were talking about the party. "Is Turner coming with you, Lyra?" One of the girls asked. "No, he's really stressed right now with O.W.L.S coming up," I say. "Well, there is one way you can relieve his stress." Another girl said, raising her eyebrows. "I already tried, and he's still stressed," I said. "Tonight is about fun, so let's just go and get ready," Tylor said. We all laughed and linked arms and continued to walk to the dorms.

~ ~ ~ ~

At about 8:30, we all gathered in the Slytherin common room. I was wearing a short sexy red dress with a halter neckline cocktail dress. Once everyone was down and ready to go, we left the standard room for the room of requirement.

The doors opened, and we walked in. I was greeted with the smell of alcohol and sweat. I saw there was a bar and a whole dance floor. It was like a muggle club. Our small group separated, and I was left to sit by myself. I sat on one of the sofas with a cup in hand, taking small sips. Sirius then decided to plop himself right next to me. He hooked an arm around my shoulder and squeezed. "Wheres Parkinson?" He asked. I could smell the firewhiskey on his breath. He also smelled like smoke. "He's in the dorms. Didn't want to come tonight." I told him. "You should have found us sooner. We all could have had some fun. Now come on dance with me." He said, pulling me off the couch and onto the dance floor.

I laughed as he spun me around. We danced for a while before Remus cut in. I backed away from Sirius and ran right into Potters' chest. "Watch where you going, Black!" He said. I just laughed. "Sorry Potter." I said. I tried to walk away, but he grabbed my hand. "Leaving so soon Black. Stay a little longer I know Sirius would like you too." He said. I felt my cheeks heating up. I didn't know Sirius wanted me to stay. I looked him straight in the eye. "Fine. I'll stay one more song then I should go check on Turner." I said. He smiled and pulled me to him. I gasped and laughed.Potter and I continued to dance with Sirius and Remus. As soon as the song faded, I said my goodbyes and started the long journey to the Slytherin common room.

I stepped inside to a fire still crackling. I took the stairs up to the boy's dormitory. I got to the fifth year's boy's dorm and walked in. I stopped frozen in my place. There in Turner's bed was Lilly Evens. She was on top of him, straddling him with the covers over her shoulders. My jaw dropped. That's why he was drifting away from me. He was cheating on me. My eyes started to water, and that's when he noticed me. Turner's eyes went wide. He pushed Lilly off and sat up. "Lyra. What are you doing back so early?" He asked. I wrapped my arms around myself. "I was coming to check on you, but it looks like you don't need any help," I say, turning around and walking out the door.

I rush to the common room. I hear footsteps following me. As soon as my feet touch the rug of the common room, I'm turned around to face Turner. "You weren't meant to see that, Lyra." He said. "Really, what was I supposed to see or know then," I say. "I was going to end it, but I couldn't." He said. I look at my feet. " Do you love her?" I ask, looking back up straight into his eyes. "No. Lyra, I don't. I love you." He says. "If you truly loved me, then you wouldn't have cheated on me with her!" I scream. "Were through Turner. I'll tell my parents you continue as you were. Go back to her love her with all the love I gave you." I say. I pull my elbow from his grip and walk out of the common room.

I didn't know where to go. All I knew was that I needed air. I walked up to the astronomy tower, and that's when the tears fall. I fell to the ground. I brought my knees to my chest and buried my face in them. The tears wouldn't stop coming. My entire body racked with sobs. Was I not good enough? Am I even pretty enough? How could he do this to me? I gave him everything, and what has he given me back? Nothing. He played me and my feelings. How did I not even see it coming? He was so distant and stayed back so much.

A hand touching my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts.

~ ~ ~ ~

I had drunk a little too much at the party. I just needed a breath of fresh air. Sirius and Remus already left to do god know what. Peter didn't even come. He never liked parties like the rest of us do. Lilly never showed up like I had hoped. I needed a new way of trying to win her over. She still hated mee. I don't know why? I've been attempting everything to impress her. She just never seems to want me.

I was going up the astronomy tower stairs when I heard it—muffled sobs. I cautiously continued up the stairs. Once I get up the stairs, I see a huddled figure crying. I look at the red dress and realize its Lyra crying by herself. I quietly walked over to her. I touched her shoulder, and her head snapped up. Her eyes locked on mine. "What do you want, Potter?" She spat out with venom. The tears continued to spill out of her eyes. "Is everything okay, Black?" I asked. "If everything was okay, why would I be here alone crying," she said. "Want to talk about it?" I ask. I was never good at comforting girls when they cry.

"I don't know." She said, looking back at her knees. I dropped down beside her. "Well, try talking to me and see if you feel better," I say. She looks at me then back down at her knees. "Turner is cheating on me." She said. What? That prick. How could he Lyra be great from what I knew about her and what Sirius told me. "With who?" I asked. "You don't want to know Potter." She said, still starring down at her knees. "I want to know." I pressed. She looked at me. "It is with Evens," she said. My heart dropped. That is who she's been sleeping with. That prick Parkinson. She chooses him over me. "I just don't get it was I not pretty enough? Was I not a good girlfriend? Why would he even do it? I gave him everything. Is there something wrong with me?" She continued talking. "Lyra, you are stunning, and he's just an idiot for not choosing you," I say. She stands up. "I should get back. Can you not speak about this with anyone just yet?" She asks. I stand up too. "I won't you have my word," I say.

She nods and smiles then walks toward the stairs. She turns back. "Thanks, James," She said and walked down the stairs. Everything that just happened slipped out of my mind. She said my real name, not Potter. I wanted to hear her repeat it. My name sounded like honey coming off her lips. With that, I put my hands in my pockets and walked down the stairs, still thinking about my name coming off her lips.