FIRECRACKER - hjp

The night was too still.

The tent — Malfoy Manor in miniature — was quiet, glowing faintly with floating sconces and temperature charms. Silk curtains swayed against glass windows that weren't really windows, only enchantments to keep the illusion of home intact.

Lyra lay beneath a coverlet of silver-threaded velvet, one leg tangled, arms folded over her chest as she stared up at nothing.

She wasn't asleep. Not truly. Not with the sound of Draco's light snoring on the other side of the room, and Sirius humming some ridiculous tune two chambers over.

Narcissa had tucked herself into bed with her usual unshakeable grace. Lucius had stayed up reading until the light dimmed, as though war wouldn't dare find them with a schedule in place.

Lyra turned her head toward the pale fabric of the tent wall.

Then she heard it.

Not wind. Not crowd noise. A different kind of sound.

Shouting.

Sharp. Male. Close.

Then closer.

Lucius was on his feet before anyone else.

He crossed the room with calm precision, wand already drawn. His voice didn't rise, didn't shift, didn't flinch.

"Narcissa. The children."

Narcissa moved immediately. "Draco, Lyra. Up."

Lyra was already sitting up, cloak half-draped over her arm. Her wand was in her hand. Not shaking — not yet.

"What is it?" Draco asked groggily.

Outside, the air was no longer cool — it was hot and thick with magic, crackling with the charged tension of something just unleashed. Voices shouted. Spells cracked through the air. Somewhere nearby, a tent burst into flame.

"Death Eaters," Lucius said to Narcissa, who had appeared behind him in her robe, wand already out.

"They've started?" she asked, quiet and tight.

Lucius nodded once. "Look after the children."

"I'm not—" Draco started.

Lucius turned. "Stay with your mother."

He stepped out into the night without looking back.

The wind outside was wild with movement. Screams. Fire.

"What about you?" Draco asked.

"I'll handle it."

And then Lucius was gone.

-

Lyra barely had time to speak before Narcissa pulled her by the elbow, and put her hand in Draco's with a serious look. Draco stood straighter and nodded.

"We need to get to the woods to use the Portkey," she said. "Come on."

Lyra felt like she moved in slow motion, but she didn't let go of Draco's hand, and the tent shook with something outside — a distant crack, a whoosh of flame.

Draco beside her, pulled his wand out. "What the hell was that?"

Harry was pale but steady. "People screaming."

"Death Eaters," Sirius confirmed. "Costumes and cowardice. Stay with me."

The sound of chaos magnified immediately as they stepped out of the tent.

From the gaps in the tent's enchantments, Lyra saw fire spiraling into the sky, the outlines of people being dragged — some unconscious, some screaming. Enchanted fires burned neon and cold.