Constellations of Black

Chapter 6

Lyra sat at the Slytherin table silently. After her experience with the boggart, she practically only said any words to her brother, but even he struggled to hear her. And it was beyond noticeable to everyone Lyra was surrounded by, whether it be the Slytherin tables or her classes. Lyra felt like she was living outside her body, witnessing the events.

"What's wrong with Nerro?" She overheard one of the kids behind her asking. She didn't know them, since they were from a different house.

"Bug off," Blaise said, turning to the student. She also heard her brother say something to the kid.

"Nerro, that boggart..." Malfoy started.

It had been hard enough doing that in front of her brother and professor, let alone the whole class. Both, Longbottom and Malfoy were in as well, which gave Lyra another layer of fear.

Lyra glared at him, silently challenging him to continue the statement. Pansy had remained quiet, refusing to talk to Lyra. Malfoy opened his mouth and shut it, trying to find the right words.

Lyra disregarded her cousin, choosing to start picking at her food. All she wanted was to hide away at the manor with her father and forget about the boggart.

Lyra felt a zap of sharp pain blossom in her shoulder, one just like she used to get when their father taught them spells they wouldn't have to say. She looked back, seeing a guilty smile across her brother's face. Lyra sent one back, the faintest smirk gracing her face when Cetus flinched from the pain. He nodded towards the doors of the hall, signalling that he wanted to leave. Lyra set her fork down on the plate, most of the food on it either picked at or untouched.

She got up and left the hall with her brother. Blaise, Theo, and Draco watched. The latter of the three got up and began following from a distance. Blaise and Theo looked between them, seeing the plate mostly filled with food still. The two shrugged and continued eating.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched the three, glimpsing at each other before shrugging. Harry then witnessed Neville get up and follow after, too.

"Should we go see what's going on?" He asked. Hermione watched as Neville retreated through the doors, vanishing from her sight.

"No, it's already going to be suspicious that Malfoy and Neville went after them," Hermione pulled Ron down by his sleeve.

Meanwhile, the twins walked wordlessly down to an empty corridor. Lyra leaned against the window, refusing to make eye contact with Cetus.

"Ly. We need to talk about the boggart. And you know it," Cetus urged.

"Cetus, can we please not?" Lyra could see Cetus staring at her through the faint reflection on the window panels.

"What happens when Dad finds out? Or Kreacher?" Cetus asked, getting bitter at his sister's refusal.

"So what?! Don't act like yours was much better, Cetus. Yours was quite literally our grandparents. What if someone had recognised them? Hm?" Lyra raised her voice, finally looking at her brother. Both were too focused on their argument to notice Malfoy watching from afar.

"No one found out yet, so what exactly is the problem? What is it, Lyra Andromeda?! Huh? All anyone saw was us and our mother," Cetus yelled.

"Don't you dare act like this, Cetus. Just leave it! What's gotten into you, anyway?" Lyra quieted down, beginning to shut herself away from him. A flaw she had whenever she argued with her brother.

"We've lived in fear for long enough, don't you think?" Cetus asked, still too angry to notice his sister's habits.

"Cetus living in fear has kept us safe. Dad didn't jeopardise his or our safety to send us here for you to act like this. It's those Gyriffindors, right? They want to venture out and get into trouble. That one with the glasses. Harry or whatever his bloody name is. He's the one Dad warned us to stay away from. Harry will be the one that will put you in the path of Him," Lyra snapped, seeing Malfoy in the distance.