Effervescence | h.p.

ii | xix. into the depths

"Mark my words," said Lockhart the next day as he ushered the class around the corner. "The first words out of those poor Petrified people's mouths will be 'It was Hagrid.' Frankly, I'm astounded Professor McGonagall thinks all these security measures are necessary."

"I agree, sir," said Lyra as they were led to History of Magic. Her response made Ron nearly drop his book and Harry looked at her like she was mental.

"Thank you, Lyra," said Lockhart graciously while they waited for a line of Hufflepuffs to pass. "I mean, we teachers have quite enough to be getting on with, without walking students to classes and standing guard all night. . . . "

"I know, I know," Lyra tsked, shaking her head sympathetically. "You could always leave us here, sir, since we've only got one more corridor to go -- "

"You know, I think I will," Lockhart nodded, his lips in a thin line of consideration. "I really should go and prepare my next class -- "

And he hurried off.

"Well, that worked well," said Harry pridefully, but with confusion as to how Lyra's plan had worked so well.

"Prepare his class," Ron sneered after him. "Gone to curl his hair, more like."

"Who cares," Lyra rolled her eyes. "Let's just get on with it. Don't make it obvious that we're sticking behind."

The rest of the Gryffindors made their way to class as Lyra, Harry, and Ron stuck themselves close to the wall, everyone drawing ahead of them before they quickly out themselves in a side passage. They were rushing toward Myrtle's bathroom, Lyra trying to shush Harry and Ron's hushed cheering over the success of Lyra's unexpected plan until --

"Lyra! Potter! Weasley!"

"Oh, shit," Lyra muttered, bringing tears to her eyes quickly.

"What are you doing?" Professor McGonagall continued, looking disapprovingly at the students.

"I-I just need a minute, Professor," Lyra sniffled, wiping her 'tears' away and making her face red before turning toward her teacher. "I-I haven't been allowed to see Hermione a-and everyone thinks I did it and -- and -- " Lyra let out a cry, covering her face.

"She just . . . she left class and we -- " Harry motioned to himself and Ron, "we had to make sure she was okay and wasn't alone."

"People have been getting petrified when they're alone," Ron added with a nod. "They're never with anyone else."

Professor McGonagall stared at the boys for a minute before speaking in a strangely croaky voice.

"Of course," she said. "Of course, I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been . . . I quite understand. Yes, of course you may visit Miss Granger. I will inform Professor Binns where you've gone. Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given my permission and believe Miss Lupin-Black could also do with a Calming Draught."

Harry and Ron whisked Lyra away, telling her quite loudly, "It's okay," so McGonagall would hear as they turned the corner as soon as they could. Lyra could hear her teacher blow her nose due to her heightened hearing from her lycanthropy.

"That," said Ron, "was the best story you've ever come up with," he told Lyra.

Now, they were required to visit the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey reluctantly let them in once it was said that they had gotten permission.

"There's just no point talking to a petrified person," she told the boys quietly as Lyra slowly sunk into the bed next to Hermione, sitting beside her and looking down at her sadly. Lyra could hear what the mediwitch had said, but she didn't react.