Where Secrets Abound

There was a large hustle and bustle about Platform 9 ¾ as parents, both Muggle and magical alike, prepared to send their children off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Most first years were already on the train, eagerly making new acquaintances with whom to speculate about their house placements, but Lyra Malfoy was still on the platform at her brother's side. Their parents had only just departed, and Lucius seemed in no hurry to get on board and settle in. No, the sixth year Slytherin was far more interested in flashing his prefect's badge around, as if the other students needed a reminder that he was at least partially in charge of them for the school year.

"Lucius, can I board the train now?" Lyra begged. "I just want to get settled..."

"But of course, my dear sister. I'll be in the prefect's car, if you need me," he replied, though it was obvious that he was distracted, looking for Narcissa Black, no doubt. Rumor had it that he fancied the fifth year girl, but Lyra knew the truth - their parents and the Blacks had arranged for the pair to be married and thus expected them to get to know each other better during Lucius' final two school years.

The family house elf had already put the Malfoys' trunks and other things on board, so Lyra quickly scampered towards the train before her brother decided he should escort her. Once on board, she began to search for an empty compartment, or at least one where she could sit. At last, she came upon one with only two people inside: one boy with long, dark hair, and one girl with red hair and green eyes.

"Hello!" the girl said, smiling. "Are you looking for somewhere to sit?"

Lyra only nodded.

"Well then, you can share our compartment. I'm Lily, and this is Severus."

As she moved to sit, she awkwardly smiled at the pair. "I'm Lyra..."

The boy, Severus, sat up a little and narrowed his eyes at her, not in a suspicious way, but as if he were trying to remember whether he knew her or not.

"So you're a first year as well, then?" he asked. Once more, she nodded, and he gave her a small smile. "Perhaps we'll all be put in the same house."

Lily laughed. "Sev, even if we aren't, we can all still be friends."

Lyra couldn't help but smile at that thought.

Friends.

Maybe Hogwarts wouldn't be so bad...

"Excuse me..." a voice piped up from the doorway, "But have you got room for one more?"

A girl with brownish blonde hair stood in the doorway. She had a bright expression, and a few silvery scars on her face.

"Of course we have!" Lily said. "What's your name?"

"Lovetta Rawly," the girl proudly announced.

"It's nice to meet you, Lovetta," Severus said politely. Lyra had a feeling that he would've been happy if he and Lily had had the car to themselves, but he didn't seem opposed to the idea of making a couple more friends.

Looking around, Lyra was suddenly much more relaxed than she had been earlier. Without the pressure of her older brother looming over her shoulder, she found herself calming down. Maybe - just maybe - she would be brave enough to choose her own path tonight at the Sorting.

---

Sirius Black knew one thing: He was not getting put in Slytherin, no matter what. If that patchy old hat tried to tell him he was a snake, he'd burn the rotten thing. Who cared what his parents would think? There was no way he'd be like them.