Ultimatums

3

Lyra knocked on the door, Sirius with his hands on her shoulders. She fingered her locket, slightly nervous. It would be her first time in Potter Manor for just under a decade.

Lily answered and a surprised look passed over her as she saw Lyra there. "Oh Sirius we only expected you"

"Yeah, but I forgot Ly was coming round this week so I just brought her with me on the bike" he nodded to the motorbike Fleamont had given him for his 17th.

Lily stood out of the way and lead them inside. Harry was lounging on the sofa, his head in Ron's lap. They were talking about Quidditch, who they thought would win the cup.

"James is in the garden" Lily said to the Blacks awkwardly. She didn't know what to do with her hands, wringing them.

Padfoot went out there, walking happily and smacking Harry with his tail as he passed.

"Tea?"

Lyra shook her head "Nah I'm good."

She sat down next to Ron and the boys conversation ceased immediately. "Alright Ronald?" she said, ruffling his hair.

"What're you doing here?" He turned to look at her. "Oh nice hair"

She smiled and winked, her hand going instinctively to the box braids with blue and bronze beads"Auntie Sephy braided it for me. I just needed to speak to James"

Harry looked up at her "What about?"

Her expression hardened slightly as she stood and made her way over to the glass door "my mother"

Once Lyra was out of the room, Harry asked Ron "Why would Dad know about her mum? She's a Black and the only Black he knows is Sirius"

Ron frowned. "James is her uncle. You're cousins"

Harry shook his head "Dad's sister died really young. I doubt she had a kid then"

Ron decided not to say anything else to his friend. If his parents hadn't told Harry, there must be a reason. Right?

Lyra stepped inbetween the two men in the garden. "James. Can you take me to the library please?"

She spoke so politely that it made Sirius cringe. In another world she'd be calling him Uncle and joking around with him like she did when she was at Sirius's house. Her manner reminded him of Regulus so much, the way she held herself and how she regarded James. It was like watching her dad when Hermione and James used to be together in his presence, stiff and closed off.

James scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, no sure"

They walked inside together but before they could move to the staircase, Harry appeared infront of them.

"Dad who is that" he asked, frowning and pointing at Lyra.

"You know Lyra. Don't be a prat, son. You've met her a bunch of times"

She raised her eyebrows.

"No" Harry shook his head "I mean how do you know her"

James and Lyra spoke at the same time "She's Sirius's niece" "I'm his niece"

They exchanged looks, Lyra's eyes wide with anger and his with guilt.

"Sod this" Lyra said, leaving the room. She stormed down the corridor and said goodbye to Ron before she left the house.

She wrapped her cloak closer around her and walked down the narrow paths. Godric's Hollow was only a small village so it would take long to find where she was looking for. The snow sprinkled over her head as she speed walked past the homely cottages and threatened to to have her slip over. The soft feeling of sadness that came with being unwanted slowly began to be overrode as she pushed open a creaking gate. Lyra was tired of feeling that way. Bitterness and fury and frustration came knocking, ready to replace it.