The Ravenclaw and The Grim

Aberforth

Lyra had headed to the hogshead earlier than she usually did, wanting to tell Moody and Aberforth about her recent success with aperation. The pub was busier than usual, and Lyra kept her cloak hood up as she slid into the seat at the end of the bar. She placed a cloth bag on the counter that clinked as she set it down.

Though she wore a bright red cloak, that should have made her stand out, especially in the small pub, other patron's gaze seemed to slide over her, almost looking through her.

Only Aberforth the barkeep seemed to acknowledge her, placing a bottle in front of her and picking up the coin she slid across the counter for him.

Lyra sipped her drink quietly, listening to the hushed chatter of the bar as time passed. Slowly the bar began to empty only a few stragglers remaining when the door chimed open and Alister and Tonks walked in.

"Could you have dressed any more conspicuously?" He growled sliding into the seat next to her.

Tonks slid onto the stool next to him looking down at herself confused. "what do you mean?"

"Not you."

Lyra pulled her hood down. "Hello Tonks, Hello Alister."

Tonks jumped. "my god Lyra, I didn't even see you."

"Yes well, that's because you weren't paying attention." Mad-eye spat. "But any mediocre Occlumens or someone with a deceit detector-"

"I don't show up on a deceit detector." Lyra said calmly, "technically I'm not lying or trying to fool them, I'm just making myself insignificant. They see me like they see a piece of old furniture or a blank wall."

"That's amazing," Tonks said impressed.

"It's dangerous. You shouldn't depend on your abilities as an empath."

Lyra pouted "and here I thought you would approve of me practicing. I needed the outrageous cloak to make it harder."

"You should practice at home. Not here."

Lyra slumped against the bar. "I can't practice it at home. It doesn't work on George and Fred."

"Really?" Tonks said surprised once more, "why not?"

Lyra's cheeks tinted pink "I don't really know for sure..."

Alastor's glass eye swirled around to look at her, "but you have a theory."

"Like I said I'm not lying to anyone or changing what they see. Just making myself insignificant." Lyra's cheeks turned even pinker. "But that doesn't work on people who care for me deeply. I'm important to them by default. So trying to appear insignificant doesn't work."

"Aw isn't that sweet." Tonks chuckled.

"I have other news," Lyra said quickly changing the subject, she didn't want to think about George right now. Too many questions on her mind, "I can apparate all on my own now."

"Did you pass the test?!" Tonks asked excitedly, "I thought they didn't let you take it until you were 17!"

Lyra looked a bit sheepish, "Well, not exactly, George and Fred have been teaching me secretly. Alastor said it was something I should know how to do in case I need to make a getaway."

"Thats right," he barked, "It's foolish to rely on those twins or anyone else."

Aberforth made a noise of disagreement, "She woulda probably been fine waiting like everyone else. She could get in real trouble if the ministry caught wind."

"She'll be in much worse trouble if she finds herself in a situation as she did at the department of mysteries," Alastor growled back.

the barkeep narrowed his eyes, "sometimes Mad-eye, your almost as bad as my brother."

"Do you think the death eaters will care that she's not 17? She's already got a target on her back, and trying to delude her into thinking her age will somehow keep her safe is far more dangerous than telling her the truth. I thought you'd know better than anyone that you can't always depend on others to protect you."

The way the Barkeep's emotions swirled at this, it was like Alastor had slapped him. His outer shell hardened, as he tried to hide the pain it caused. "Do what you want." he growled, "It's not as if she's my kin. I have no will to stop ya."

He turned storming off and to the back of the bar. Tonks sighed rubbing her temples. "Stubborn old men," she muttered under her breath, earning a glare from Alastor and a grin from Lyra. As the conversation drifted something about their bickering snagged in her brain.

"Who's Aberforths brother?" she asked quietly, more to herself than to them.

"Dumbledore," Alastor said, "Though I'm surprised you don't know all the poking around you've been doing."

Lyra almost fell out of her seat. "What? really?"

"Yes really, come on now girl they told me you're supposed to be smart."

"He doesn't like to talk about it," Tonks said, her and Lyra both ignoring Alastor's bad mood.

that didn't surprise Lyra, one of the things that had bonded her to Aberforth so quickly was the fact that they both had a distinct dislike and distrust of Dumbledore. The fact he was related added even more complexity and confusion as to why Abberforth was in the order. Lyra rose, scooping her bag off the table and opening it.

"You leaving already?" Tonks asked a bit disappointed.

"I told George I wouldn't stay out too late." She lied, pulling two smaller bags from the larger one. "Here, take these."

"What-"

"Potions, just some of the basics I had extra of. Good to have in case your find yourself in a pinch." She looked to Alastor who usually didn't take things made by others. "I won't be offended if you don't use them, but take them just in case."

She turned and walked away from them with her bag still in her hand, and walked behind the bar and through the door to the back. Though the others may not be able to tell, this made her anxious. Knowing that Aberforth would most likely not be very pleased that she just let herself in.

she was right about this as he soon rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks. "Who told you that you could come back here? You're not allowed."

"S-sorry," she said quickly taking out her last pouch of potions and setting it down on a nearby counter. "Just came to leave you this."

"Next time leave at the bar or don't bother." He snapped.

"Right," Lyra said quietly, flinching from his anger.

Aberforth softened. "...was there, was there something else?"

She hesitated but decided it was better to ask now than risk not getting to later. "Why... why did you join the order? You don't seem to share everyone else's admiration for Dumbledore.... and you don't seem to really trust his intentions, so why?"

Aberforth sighed, and he looked older than ever. "because as much as I dislike Albus and how he uses people. The order is the best shot we have to protect what we love. I can hate Albus and still do what's right."

she nodded, a look of determination on her face.

"was that all?"

"Yes, thank you. Have a good night."

"Lyra-"

She stopped turning back to him. She could tell he wanted to tell her something. To explain the whirlwind of emotions that they both knew she could feel. "Yes?"

"Good job... learning to apparate I mean."

She offered him a small smile. Perhaps another day he would tell her. "Thank you."