The week following the incident with Remus and the Marauders felt like a blur. Lyra had spent more time than she cared to admit trying to make sense of everything she'd seen and heard. Her trust had been shaken, and though she longed to talk to them, she wasn't sure how to approach the Marauders anymore. The bond they had shared felt strained, and the secrecy—particularly the Animagi revelation—had stung more than she anticipated.

So, she threw herself into her studies.

Charms class became a welcomed escape. She poured over her textbooks, perfecting spells and testing new variations on the charms they had learned. The quiet, orderly world of magic felt like something she could control. There was no room for secrets or misunderstandings in her studies—only focus.

"How's the charm going?" Lily asked one afternoon as they sat together in the library, poring over their homework.

Lyra glanced up from the textbook she was reading, offering Lily a small smile. "Getting better, actually," she said, flipping a page. "I think I've finally got the levitation charm down." She tapped the tip of her quill, making it float for a moment before it plopped back to the table.

Lily grinned. "I knew you would. You're always one of the best in class."

Lyra shrugged, trying to mask the discomfort she felt about the situation with the Marauders. "I've had plenty of practice," she said, her tone a little too dismissive for her liking.

Lily didn't press, though Lyra could tell she noticed her mood shift. Instead, she just nodded and continued working.

It was a similar story with Marlene. After dinner one evening, Lyra found herself walking the halls of Hogwarts, slowly making her way toward the Gryffindor Tower. Marlene, ever the social butterfly, had insisted on accompanying her, clearly sensing that something was amiss.

"You've been distant, Lyra," Marlene said, looking at her with concern as they walked side by side. "Is everything alright?"

Lyra let out a breath, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I just... I've been thinking. You know, about everything." She avoided Marlene's gaze, focusing instead on the stone floors beneath their feet. "There's a lot to process."

Marlene frowned but didn't push. She knew when to give Lyra space. "If you need to talk, I'm here," she said simply, squeezing Lyra's arm reassuringly.

"Thanks, Marls," Lyra replied, giving her a grateful smile. "I will. Just not yet."

They walked in silence for a while, the echo of their footsteps filling the corridors. Lyra appreciated Marlene's quiet understanding. The last thing she wanted was to burden her friends with her confusion, especially when they had their own worries. She had to figure things out on her own.

✵

Classes were becoming more demanding as the year went on. Lyra found herself spending late nights at the library with Lily and Marlene, catching up on assignments and discussing the more complex spells they had been practicing in their advanced courses. She enjoyed the time with them—Lily's sharp wit and Marlene's dry humor made the long study sessions far more bearable.

One night, as they worked on Transfiguration homework, Lily sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Have you noticed how everyone seems to be so focused on what's going on with the Dark Lord?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

Lyra nodded, taking a sip of her tea. "It's hard not to. Everyone's on edge. But we can't let it consume us, can we? We've still got our lives to live."

Marlene raised an eyebrow at them, looking over her book. "If only it were that easy. Everyone's walking on eggshells, not knowing what's coming next."

Lyra glanced around the library, as if expecting someone to overhear them, even though it was nearly empty. "Maybe... maybe we should just focus on our studies. Everything else can wait."

"Not everyone can be as focused as you," Lily said with a teasing smile, nudging Lyra's shoulder. "You've got the whole school wrapped around your finger with those charms."

"I don't know about that," Lyra replied with a half-smile, though she was grateful for the compliment. She focused on her Transfiguration homework, determined to ignore the unsettled feeling gnawing at her inside.

In the days that followed, Lyra found herself retreating even further from the Marauders. It wasn't that she disliked them—she missed their camaraderie—but she needed space. She couldn't shake the feeling that their secret was a wall she couldn't climb. The more she thought about it, the more overwhelmed she became. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep pretending that everything was fine.

One afternoon, as she sat in the Great Hall, absentmindedly picking at her food, Remus passed by her table. His eyes lingered on her for a brief moment, but he didn't stop. She turned away, not wanting to meet his gaze. She hadn't spoken to him since the night of the transformation. She wasn't ready to face him yet.

James, on the other hand, caught her eye across the room, offering a tentative smile. Lyra only nodded in return, her heart heavy. She couldn't deal with the guilt of their shared silence—not yet.

Lily, noticing the exchange, gave her a knowing look. "I know things have been weird lately, but don't shut them out, Lyra. They're your friends. And they need you too."

Lyra didn't respond immediately. Instead, she gave Lily a small smile, forcing the words out. "I'll figure it out."

The rest of the meal passed in quiet conversation. Marlene continued chatting animatedly with Lily, while Lyra sat back, watching the others and trying to ignore the nagging feeling of disconnection.

Later that evening, Lyra retreated to the common room, settling into one of the armchairs by the fire. Her gaze drifted to the window, where snowflakes were falling softly outside. It was peaceful, a welcome respite from the chaos in her mind. She wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting there when she felt a familiar presence beside her.

Sirius.

"You're avoiding us," he said, his voice soft but steady. He didn't look angry—just concerned, as if he understood her need for space.

Lyra didn't respond right away, focusing instead on the flames crackling in the fireplace. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, but she wasn't sure how to answer.

"I don't know how to deal with it, Sirius," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "The secrets... everything. I thought we were in this together, but I don't know anymore."

Sirius's expression softened, and he sat down beside her. "I get it, Lyra. But we never meant to hurt you. We just... didn't know how to explain. I'm sorry."

Lyra looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. She could feel the apology, but it wasn't enough to ease the hurt completely. Still, she appreciated his honesty.

"I just need time," she said quietly.

And for the first time in a long while, she felt the smallest weight lift off her shoulders