Constellations of Black

Chapter 64

Lyra and Cetus were hidden away in the safety of the Come and Go Room; it had been transformed into a large sitting room, filled with armchairs, sofas, and various surfaces for them to explore. It was currently Cetus' turn to focus on transforming between his human and Animagus forms. Lyra was watching from the corner of her eye, focusing on the last bit of her studies for the day.

"Cetus, next time you change to your rabbit form, hop around and get used to walking around in it. Like Father and Kreacher suggested," Lyra recommended, brushing some of her curls behind her ear.

"It still feels weird going from something so small and close to the ground to standing normally," Cetus commented.

"I know, that's why I'll be sitting on the floor when it's my turn, so I don't feel sickly," Lyra turned back to her book, her enchanted quill writing notes down.

As the evening drew closer and the sparkling blanket of inky space was pulled up, the stars began to align. The scorching star was focused on his family; the lyre, the sea serpent, his godson, and the wolf. The lion's heart yearned to hear his lyre's music and bask in the celestial presence of his children. The scorching sea serpent was focused on the moon. And the lyre... The lyre focused on herself and her celestial counterpart, trying to keep both out of trouble, waiting for the heart of the lion to follow suit on their plans.

Sirius paced his room, Remus standing in the doorway silently observing. Since Sirius had figured out Cetus and Lyra's truth, all he wanted to do was write to them; learn about what he missed in their lives, tell stories of their parents, and be the uncle they deserved. Show the same kindness he had been given by his Uncle Alphard and the Potters.

"You have something on your mind, Sirius. And whatever it is, I'm always here to listen," Remus tried to comfort.

Sirius had felt the difference in their relationship since that night at the Shrieking Shack. It had been as fragile as it was when they accused each other of being the ones to betray James, Lily, and Harry. How drifted apart they felt, yet how happy they both were to see the other.

"Something is on my mind, Rem... I want to tell you but I need to wrap my head around it first," Sirius tried.

"Sirius, if you just say it, maybe it can make it easier to accept," Remus suggested.

"The twins, Lyra and Cetus," Sirius started as he faced Remus.

"What about them?" Remus frowned slightly, they were two of his favourite and best students.

"I'm their uncle. I mean I thought I was when I first saw them in the forest, they look just like Annie and Reggie, but... I wasn't sure until I caught Cetus talking to my mother's portrait and he confessed it," Sirius began to ramble.

"Then why do they go by Nerro instead of Black?" Remus asked.

"Probably was easier and safer for Anna to marry someone and have the twins under their name since Regulus was killed by him," Sirius suggested.

The next morning, a photo of Dolores standing before the school, with students watching from the doors, was on the front page of the Daily Prophet. To Lyra's disappointment, it was taken before her brother and she publicly showed their displeasement with the ordeal. And by the next few days, Fudge took over the papers agreeing with Umbridge's move within the school.

Hogwarts had become overwhelmingly strict for many of the students. No public displays of affection were allowed now, something Lyra was appreciative of but also missed. She missed seeing couples walking to class holding hands. Everyone's uniforms had to be up to the highest expectations, something Lyra wasn't fond of. She still felt uncomfortable with tight things around her neck, and a buttoned shirt with a tie felt like she was being suffocated once more. And now, Umbridge was interrupting every class with questions directed at the professors. Pansy, Draco, Vince, Greg, Cetus and Luna had watched Umbridge interrupt Trelawney's lesson to question her about how long she had worked at Hogwarts.