𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒 [ h.p]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

[1993]

​​In the dimly lit room of the dreary orphanage, Lyra Black sat perched on the windowsill, a cigarette dangling casually between her fingers. The moon's silvery glow filtered through the tattered curtains, casting an ethereal light on her dark hair and mischievous eyes. Tomorrow was the day she had been waiting for all summer —the day she would return to Hogwarts for her third year.

As she gazed out the window, the distant sound of laughter and chatter drifted through the night air from the town beyond. But in this desolate place, there was no joy, only a stifling atmosphere that made Lyra yearn for the freedom she knew awaited her at Hogwarts.

The serenity of the moment was shattered by a sharp bang on the door, causing Lyra to quickly stub out the cigarette against the windowsill. She exhaled a cloud of smoke as the matron, Lilian Smith, stormed into the room with an air of perpetual irritation.

"What do you think you're doing, Black?" Lilian's shrill voice echoed through the room.

Lyra rolled her eyes, unapologetic. "Just taking in the view." yea, the view of the mud-stricken street, and the dingy playground across the road.

"Don't be clever with me, girl," Lilian snapped. "You know very well that smoking is not allowed in this orphanage."

Lyra gave her a sly smirk, her defiance unyielding. "Smoking? Now just who do you think I am? I would never"

The matron's face was turning red with anger at Lyra's sarcasm, but she quickly composed herself, her lips thinning into a disapproving line. "You won't get away with this attitude at that boarding school you're heading off to. Tomorrow you'll have to wake up early, to get to Kings Cross, so behave yourself and get to bed."

The matron and the other children believed she was headed to some random boarding school for troubled girls in Switzerland. It had been a lie she and Liz had concocted, Liz had been Lyra's best friend since she arrived at the orphanage all those years ago, they were attached at the hip, at least until Lyra had gotten her Hogwarts letter. now Liz and Lyra spend their summers together at the orphanage causing trouble. 

"Fine, since I'll be off to bed, you can leave," Lyra replied with fake innocence.

Lilian eyed her suspiciously, but Lyra's composure didn't falter. The matron then left with a bang at the door.

"stupid old hag" Lyra muttered as she pulled her trunk out from under her bed, and with a sense of urgency, started to pack for Hogwarts. She threw in her clothes and school supplies, along with a couple of packs of cigarettes.

Lyra buckled up her trunk, careful not to make any noise that might draw the matron's attention. Putting her trunk aside and getting into her small twin-size bed, closing her eyes. Lyra fell asleep, thinking of the upcoming year.