Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was known as one of the safest places in the Wizarding World, as long as it was under the leadership of Albus Dumbledore. But the Headmaster couldn't protect his students every second, and all he wanted was for them to be safe before, during and after their years at school. 

And he knew there had been talk of the forces of the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, attempting to recruit Hogwarts students and their families, wanting them to be prepared to serve him once they were of age. He wanted to stop this, he didn't want the students to be unnecessary casualties of war because of Voldemort's leadership. 

So every Head of House at Hogwarts had been tasked with talking to their students about the dangers of going too deep into the Dark Arts, and eventually working for the Dark Lord. Professor McGonagall was talking to her Gryffindors, Professor Flitwick with his Ravenclaws, Professor Sprout and her Hufflepuffs. 

Professor Slughorn was then tasked to speak to his Slytherins, who were considered the most at-risk group, as many of them had suspected ties to Death Eaters, and many of their families were known for being pureblood supremacists who would do anything to keep the Wizarding World pure. 

But the Potions teacher was never the type to make enemies with his students, prefering to make connections for his own future gain. Everyone was interested in how he was going to keep those connections while doing the task set by Dumbledore, when he would be insulting the mindsets of most of the kids in Slytherin. 

So all Slytherins had gathered in the common room, squeezing together. A group of kids, ranging from tiny eleven-year-olds to newly-turned eighteen-year-olds huddled in groups, as they all tried to ignore everything their Head of House was saying. 

"Hello, Slytherins!" Slughorn greeted the crowd cheerfully, his chubby face had a lagre smile on it. "I bet you're all wondering why I've summoned you here, but unfortunately it hasn't been for nice reasons."

"We all know why we're here. Because Dumbledore's a half-blood who wants us to stop thinking about the purity of our blood," Evan Rosier whispered to Wilkes, both of them standing close enough for Lyra to hear them. She turned and gave them a sharp look, telling them to shut up. 

"As you all know, there is a war raging beyond the safe walls of Hogwarts," Slughorn mentioned, looking quite sad. "It is not nearing us or threatening your safety. War will never infiltrate the safe walls of our beloved school."

"He never saw the Lucinda and Emma fight over Avery then. Now that was a war," Rabastan whispered to himself, but Lyra couldn't help but snicker. Nobody had forgotten last year when the two girls came to blows over someone as mediocre as Avery. Emma ended up winning, obviously and the two had been inseparable since. 

"And I hope more than anything that none of you will become more involved in this war than absolutely necessary," Slughorn continued, avoiding eye contact, still seemingly uncomfortable. "That's why we need to talk today."

He sighed, finally making eye contact with a few of his oldest students. "I have to warn you of the dangers of the Dark Arts, and the way it can corrupt your soul. I know you are all good, ambitious, cunning and bright children. That's why you are Slytherins, after all."

Fumbling with his robes, he shifted uncomfortably. "The Dark Arts are dangerous, and will in the best case scenario lead to your deaths and desctruction of all that makes you good. In search for what? Glory? You can all have that without it. I know this, because I know each and every one of you personally, I know what you are capable of."

"Some people will try to tell you that you will be greater with it, but that's not true. Nobody truly great are afraid of the legal magic we have, and have to resort to such drastic measures looking for a legacy I know you will all have!"

Several students exchanged glances, either wondering if he had gone more mad than before or if he was joking. The most common consensus seemed to be that he was a blubbering idiot who had no idea what he was talking about .

"I suppose that will be all." The Professor scratched his chin nervously. "I just hope you will take these words to heart, because I care greatly about my students, and I know you will all be great one day."

Lyra made eye contact with him before quickly glancing away. This wasn't a discussion she had wanted to have with Slughorn, and she definitely didn't want him to think something was up with her. She didn't need his pressures too.

She already felt Bellatrix breathing down her neck with everything she did, telling her to get great, to get dark and to get into the life of a Death Eater. Lyra didn't want that, she had never wanted that. Then again, she had never been asked what she wanted, so she wasn't sure of the life she wished to live. 

Her family only said they wished for her to be happy. Lyra wasn't sure if that was true, if her definition of happiness wasn't the same as hers. It hadn't gone down well when Blacks hadn't followed their family's footsteps before. 

They wanted her to be like Bellatrix, a crazed madwoman who kept saying she had never been as happy as when she was torturing and killing muggles. Or they wanted another Narcissa, who's greatest act of rebellion was marrying someone who wasn't conventionally attractive. 

Bellatrix said she wanted her youngest sister to follow in her footsteps. And while Slughorn rambled on about how the Dark Arts were dangerous, Lyra had a list of suggestions on books given by her sister in her dorm. None that she had even thought about looking at. 

"Well, you're all dismissed for the day, carry on as normally," Slughorn then said, as his students were all staring at him once he had finished his speech. "I'll see you in your Potions classes, you're all doing great."

Lyra and her friends tried to follow the hoard of students who were excited to go out and play in the December snow or meet up with their friends from other houses. Regulus was right behind her, trying to navigate through the girls

Before they made it out, though, Slughorn called out for them. "Miss Black, Mr. Black! Could you come over here for a second?"

The two cousin exchanged nervous glances, confused as to what he would want to talk to them about. Lyra had a bit of a feeling as to why, though. The rumors about Bellatrix Lestrange joining the Death Eaters were not yet confirmed but was still ravaging the Wizarding World. 

"Yes, Professor?" said Lyra politely, smiling brightly at their head of house. Mostly, she wanted to get out of there and yell that in his face, but she knew that being nice and charming was the way to Slughorn's heart. 

He put each of his hands on one shoulder of Lyra's and one of Regulus's. He smiled warmly, although with a hint of concern in his eyes. "I'd like for you two to know that if there is anything, and I mean anything, you wish to speak to me about then I am always here if any issues arise."

Lyra kept herself from making eye contact with Regulus, who glanced her way. "Thank you, Professor. It is so kind of you to say so, we will come to you straight away if there is any need."

The blonde looked over at her cousin, sending him a stern look, encouraging him to speak up. He cleared his throat and raised his chin proudly. "Of course, Professor. We really appreciate it."

He released them, sighing as if he was relieved. They weren't sure if he was relieved they had answered positively or because the conversation was over. "Good, good. Now hurry off, you two! I'm sure your friends are waiting for you."

Lyra grabbed Regulus's arm and pulled him out of the common room. The entrance to the Slytherin dorms was empty, as everyone had scurried off.  The younger cousin shook her off him. "What was that?"

"I'm not sure," Lyra muttered softly, trying to make sure they weren't overheard. She glanced around them, making sure they were by themselves. "But I have a feeling they've heard the rumors about Bellatrix joining the Death Eaters."

"Who hasn't heard those rumors by now?" commented Regulus dryly, straightening his tie, making sure it was immaculate. "The important thing is that they aren't confirmed, and we need to keep it that way."

"Why do you think Slughorn took us aside, huh, Reg?" The blonde started tapping the inside of her arm nervously. "It's got to be Dumbledore. I believe he asked Slughorn to keep an eye on the two of us. Be careful, if Bellatrix asks you to do anything... tell her it's not safe."

The dark-haired Slytherin narrowed his eyes, frowning. "But what if it's something I want to do? Something I should do?"

It pained Lyra to hear him speak of the pureblood-cause as something he might want to be a part of, but she shook it off. The most important thing was that he stayed safe. "It's still not safe. Tell her that, and tell her to write to me if she disagrees. I'll talk to her."

"If you say so," he whispered, obviously not pleased. "Or we can talk to her at Christmas."

The blonde shrugged. "I suppose, I think she'll be going. I hope she doesn't pester me about meeting a good pureblooded man again. I really couldn't care less about that right now. I turned sixteen a week ago for Merlin's sake."

"What about Davey Gudgeon?" he teased, smiling genuinely for the first time in a while. She was happy to see that, but wasn't too happy about why he was smiling.

"Alright, shut up!" she exclaimed, but still smiling. She punched his arm as hard as she could, but that didn't do much to him who only laughed in return.

▹▹▹

Christmas holiday was right around the corner, which meant that many students, including Lyra were going home to spend time with their families. One group of Gryffindor boys had a different plan, prefering to go to one of their mates' place and prepare for mayhem. 

Lyra, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter found themselves in the Room of Requirement, looking at the three potions on ground, one for each of the potential animagi in the room. Considering the holidays were coming up and they had just finished having mandrake leaves on their tongues, they were prepared to finish the potion. 

"Alright, spit the leaves in," Lyra commanded, looking at her notes for the potion. She was really hoping she had all the steps ready, because if not they were surely going to be half-human, half-animal mutations and she was sure the blame would be put on her. 

Standing by the moonlit window, James, Sirius and Peter grabbed a potion each and spit them out, probably happy to no longer have to hide them and have a vow of silence in protest of the treatment of muggleborns. James raised his eyebrow. "Now what?"

"Well, we've put in the Chrysalis of the Death's-Head Hawk Moth, right?" the girl looked at each of them in turn, all of them nodded. "Then we need the silver teaspoons of dew that hasn't been touched by human feet or seen sunlight for seven days."

"I've got them," Remus spoke up. He carefully approaching each of his mates with a teaspoon each, adding them to the potion carefully. "Now we've just got to make sure they won't be disturbed as we head off to the Potters."

"But we've got to bring them with us," Peter piped up, looking confused as to how they would pull this off. Once he realized he got their attention he looked away, especially avoiding Lyra's amused gaze.

"Don't worry about that, little man," Sirius grinned, ignoring Peter's face fall at the nickname. The Black boy pulled out three small, dark boxes from his pocket. "I've charmed them so they're not affected by the outside world until we open them."

"You're a genius, Sirius!" James exclaimed, throwing his arm around his best mate's shoulder, squeezing him tightly. Lyra couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, and how true their friendship was. 

"There's going to be a lightning storm around your place on Christmas Eve, Potter," Lyra informed them, flipping through her notes once again. "So you better be prepared by then, and do everything you need to do."

"Stop looking through your notes, Black. You know all this," said James, grinning widely at the shorter girl. "And you've told us a million times. We know the spell, we know how many times we have to say it. We know just what to do. You don't need to worry about us."

"I get why she's worried," Remus spoke up, a somber look on his face. "This could go terribly wrong, mate. I don't know how I'd live with myself if this doesn't work out. You're doing this for the wrong reasons."

"Oh, shut up, Remus!" Sirius rolled his eyes, clasping his hand on the sandy-haired boy's shoulders. "Nothing's going to go wrong. And we're doing this for the right reasons, you can't stop us."

"I wouldn't say getting away with pranks easier are the right reasons," Lyra muttered to herself, but they all heard her. They ignored it, as they hadn't ever told her the real reason for the plan. They all exchanged small smiles at it, though. 

"It's going to be fine, Remus," Peter smiled kindly, his chubby cheeks showing off his dimples. "We want to do this, and I believe in us. We're best friends, aren't we? We support each other, no matter what."

The prefect couldn't hold back his grin. "Always."

James messed up his hair as usual, but seemed to glow with excitement Lyra hadn't seen when he wasn't flying around on that broom of his. "That's the spirit, mate! I've got faith in us."

"Oi, Lyra!" Sirius called out, making the girl look at him with a bright, friendly smile. "You're covering for me at home, right? I'd ask Reg but I don't think he'd be too keen to lie to dear old mum and dad."

"I've got it under control," Lyra assured him, punching his shoulder playfully. "I'll say you're staying at school because you're so dedicated to studying for the O.W.L. exams. They're going to be so proud."

"I'd rather chew Slughorn's underpants than make them proud of me," Sirius shuddered in disgust. "But, hey, I've got my annoying mates with me this Christmas to make it bearable. I'll miss you, though, Lyra."

"I'll miss you, too, dork," she grinned, but looking away, a bit embarassed at them showing their affection in front of his best friends. "But let's not be sappy now."

"You're right, I'm too cool for that." He smirked, pulling up the sleeves of his robes so they looked even more disheveled than they already did. "But you're not. You need some of my coolness to rub off on you like this."

He rushed into a hug with his cousin, catching her by surprise. He squeezed her tightly as he lifted her up in the air, spinning her around as she laughed loudly. "Alright, Sirius. We get it, you big man-child."

"Oh, shut up, cousin dearest," he smiled with a dog-ish grin. "You know you love me, and everything about me. I can't imagine who doesn't."

"Okay, not to break up this love fest, but we've still got to pack before leaving tomorrow," James butted in, though not angry like he usually was when Lyra was around, she was glad it had changed.

"Oh, that reminds me..." Lyra hurried to reach into her bag and pulled out two badly wrapped, small presents and held them out to Sirius and Remus. "You might want to pack these ones, too. I tried to wrap them myself but I've never really had to do that before."

"It's great. Thank you, Lyra," Remus smiled brightly, pulling her into a tight, yet quick, hug that she grinned into. "I'll mail your gift to you. I got my mum to buy it for you in muggle London."

"Sounds fascinating," said Lyra, excited. 

"Oi, where are our gifts?" James asked, raising a challenging eyebrow to the girl he now had a truce with. He gestured between himself and Peter, who looked away awkwardly. "Is this preferential treatment?"

"Alright then," Lyra rolled her eyes. She strutted towards Peter confidently, making his eyes widen in fear. She leaned towards him and kissed his cheek quickly, making him blush bright red. He reminded Lyra of a chubby tomato. "Happy Christmas, Pettigrew. Good luck."

"I still don't have one," James reminded her, tapping his cheek playfully. She knew he was only teasing so she didn't even justify it with a response. 

Sirius elbowed him, and looked suspiciously at Peter who was still bright red and awkward. "Eh, Lyra. I appreciate the thoughtful present and all. But the only presents I really want are for you to take care of yourself and watch out when you get home. And to give Kreacher a good kick for me when you see him."

"I make no promises," said Lyra, never having condoned his anger towards the Black family house elf, although she supposed she didn't know how he had treated Sirius when he was alone with his family. 

She smiled gently at Sirius, Remus and Peter as she was about to make her exit. She made eye contact with James for a second and sighed, smiling slightly at him. She reached her hand out, ready to shake his. "Potter."

He clasped it tightly, nodding seriously. "Black."

They shook hands for a couple of seconds before both chuckled, looking away at the absurdeity of the situation. He didn't know if she remembered their whole conversation when she got drunk, but he did and he wasn't sure what to think about her after that. But they had a truce, anyway. And they had been getting along better the past few weeks, which made everyone happy.

"Merry Christmas, lads," the blonde said one last time before leaving them behind in the Room of Requirement, all of them nervous for their individual transformations that Christmas.