Upside Down Mirror: Free Falling (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Beginnings

"Everything's too good to be true."

Yet, as Lyra stood next to Regulus a few days later, she knew everything was very much real. The ministry battle seemed like something that hadn't occurred, though there were still scorch marks by the fountain where Regulus destroyed the Horcrux. Her hand held onto Regulus' hand tightly.

"Well. It's official," Regulus said as they left the office, having finished the paperwork. "Regardless of what maman and papa think, you are officially a member of the Black family, Ms. Lyra, and officially my responsibility."

"Your responsibility?" Arcturus let out a snort. "It's my name on the papers young man."

Lyra looked at Regulus' grandfather, watching as the man ruffled Regulus' hair. They'd not been to Grimmauld place and neither of them knew what would happen next, beyond the fact Regulus wouldn't face any repercussions from the Ministry of Magic for nearly burning the place down as Mad-Eye Moody teased.

"Well. I'll see you back at my home, but Walburga and Orion will need to get used to the fact things are changing and that the Black family must adapt with the times." Arcturus then smiled at her. "And if they won't have you two, Lucretia has always wanted her own, but Walburga might still have to fight her on that one."

Lyra stared at the man, only to see nothing as he'd apparated away.

"So, I still don't know what to do next, but I think I should get you caught up on the Hogwarts..." Regulus paused, freezing, making Lyra look up to see what he was looking at. Sirius was there, talking with Remus and James, but there was a red-haired female with them.

She pointed at the woman. "Lily Evans!"

"I, yes. That's Lily," Regulus cleared his throat. "Come on, before..."

"What are you doing here?"

"Siri..." Regulus let out a sigh.

"Don't call me that!" Sirius snapped.

"Oh, knock it off!" Lily rolled her eyes. "I'm going over to say hello."

"Wait."

"James Potter. Just because I'm now your wife doesn't mean you get to decide who I associate with."

"Yes, but..."

Lily waved him off, but she hurried over, bending over so she could get a good look at Lyra. "Well, hello. I've not seen you at Hogwarts before, but Regulus always tended to be by himself, so what's your name?"

"Lyra Whitechapel."

"Lyra Whitechapel-Black," Regulus corrected. "She's the newest addition to the Black family."

Lily glanced up at Sirius. "Oh. I know someone who's not going to like that."

"I thought he hated the rest of his family," Lyra frowned.

"Almost," Lily stood up straight. "Anyways..."

"You're married to Potter, so it's Potter now?"

"Regulus, you can always call me Lily." She reached out and pulled him into a hug. Lyra watched the Marauders look on, Remus and James looking on in shock while Sirius fumed.

"Aren't there four friends?" Lyra asked.

Lily cleared her throat, looking back at the friends. "Yes, well. Peter..." She shook her head, turning back to Regulus. "Not that it matters, given the fact Voldemort is gone. Oh, and I heard from Slughorn. He's quite proud of you, although he's not able to say why beyond the fact it was news he received from Dumbledore, you take care of yourself Regulus Arcturus Black. Live your life the way you want to live it, not how others tell you to."

"Yeah. You told me that," Regulus smiled. "I plan to, as much as..." He tilted his head so he could look past Lily, likely at his brother who was still fuming. "Hey, Lily?"

"Yes."

"Try to mend things with Tuni, will you? Particularly since I can't with Siri?"

"Sure. He'll come around one day, or I want to believe it." She hugged him again, but then quickly hugged Lyra, before taking off. Sirius continued fuming while Remus and James plied Lily with questions while she kept her mouth purposefully shut.

"So..."

"Don't you hope that they can mend things? I don't think they were able to in your books."

"Regulus..."

"Yes."

"The books said nothing about you and Lily being friends."

"Friend?" Regulus tilted his head. "I'm not sure that's the word for it. She kind of just became a big sister to me when she saw Sirius was being such an awful older brother, but she's the one person I've ever told my real thoughts about pureblood supremacy other than Slughorn, at least until I talked to grandfather about it. Anyways, let's head home. Grandfather's waiting,"