Chapter 22

It has been weeks, and everything on me physically has healed. Thereof course will still be mental scars. How could there not be? I am walking with Reg back to the Slytherin common room. Everyone we pass stops to stare at me. I keep looking at the ground. What has James done? At least that's what I think the problem is. It probably is because of the spectacle I had in the middle of the entrance hall. "Don't worry about them, Lyra. They don't deserve your attention or your thoughts. Keep your chin up." He says. I look up and see all their eyes looking at me. We walk all the way to the great hall and walk-in. Everyone is also staring at us. I tip my chin up and look around with a glaring eye. They all look back down and mind their own business. "Good girl," Reg says and then leaves my side. I walk to the Slytherin table and sit next to Taylor.

"Lyra Godic, your finally back. It's been forever, and classes are so boring. I have to sit next to that pick Evens in most of my class cause you weren't here. Also, Potter has pretty much been exiled from the Marauders for a while. Oh, look, here comes Sirius." She says. I pick my head up and look toward Sirius walking towards me.

"Lyra, your back." He says. I smile and get up and hug him. We keep like that for a while. I was never a big fan of physical touch, but it's Sirius, my brother. The thing that kept me from going off the deep end and doing something I would regret. "Siri," I say and hold him close. "How are you doing?" He asks me. "I'm doing a lot better thanks to madam Pomfrey," I say. I let go, and we all sit down. I never thought I would see Sirius sit at the Slytherin table after he got into Gryffindor. I have finally found a day to top the worst day of my life. Everyone is sitting around and talking about classes, and I just kinda zone out.

I've been doing that a lot lately. I can't really focus much anymore, and it has gone into my head a lot. It's a dark place in my head. But it's what I'm more comfortable with. I like being by myself, but I hate feeling alone. That's why I kinda struggled when Henry locked me into my room because it meant I only had myself. I had to keep myself alive. It was me, no one else. I feel a nudge on my shoulder. I look up, and Taylor is pointing to James, who is standing in front of me.

"Hi." He says, running a hand through his hair. "Hey," I say. It feels like I can't breathe. I love James, but how do I know that he can actually love me back. "Um, I just wanted to say I'm glad your back and feeling better. I'll see you in class. Sirius, I'm sorry about the fight; it wasn't me, and I now know Mallory had me under dark magic, so I wasn't in my own brain. I still shouldn't have treated you like that, and I'm really sorry." He says. Sirius looks up at him. He then jumps up, and they crush in a brotherly embrace. I smile. I love seeing my family happy. That's what gets me through my dark moments. Is my family.

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A/N: Sorry for the short chapter. I kinda want to get a peek into Lyras head after everything cause mental health is essential, and if you are struggling to get help or talk to someone doesn't matter if its family, friend, or even a random stranger talking about it helps. If anyone does need to speak, my DM is always open through snap, insta, Wattpad, or anything else. So please, if you need help, reach out to me. Don't be afraid.