Lyra hummed to herself as she sat at the counter in her kitchenette. She was nursing a cup of tea while reading over some of the reports of Death Eaters being spotted through the states. Apparently a lot were spotted here in this very state. It is said to be a supernatural hotspot according to President Quahog, so perhaps they thought they'd blend in better. Or there could be something else drawing them here, which is what Lyra needed to find out. She flipped over to another page with her body stiffening for a moment when she saw a picture of Bellatrix—when she was Azkaban—pinned to a report about a few eye witnesses claiming to see her.

"So, dear Aunt, you have made a home in this small American state." Lyra said as she narrowed her eyes at the paper.

Knowing her aunt could be somewhere close had Lyra itching to go out searching for her immediately. However, she knew acting so rashly could end with her being killed, and Bellatrix running free. Death didn't scare her so much. What she wouldn't be able to handle is if a mistake of hers let Bellatrix get away and continue to live without punishment. But soon…soon Lyra would find Bellatrix, and make sure she faces her punishment for all her crimes. Lyra was snapped from her thoughts when there was a knock on her door. She glanced at the clock seeing it was about ten now. Time does fly when reading reports it seems.

"It's unlocked." She called. "Please, come in."

As the door was opening, she snapped her fingers having the pictures around the apartment freeze. She lowered her hand just as Alaric poked his head inside.

"Hey, Lyra, sorry to bother you if you're busy." Alaric said while noticing the papers spread across the kitchenette's counter.

Lyra gave Alaric a polite smile before folding the case files before he could catch a glimpse at the reports. She then moved them aside. She supposed she's been staring at the reports a bit too long anyway. A break was probably in order, and Alaric seemed to be a nice man, so spending time with him would probably be pleasant.

"Not at all." Lyra said while gesturing him farther in. "Please, sit. I have fresh tea on the stove. Though I hear Americans prefer coffee. I could make some for you if you'd like."

She said this while she stood while ready to get down one of her other pots to put some coffee on.

"No, it's fine." Alaric said waving it off. "Tea sounds great. I actually really like chamomile."

"Really?" Lyra asked with a more natural smile this time. "It's one of my favorites as well."

She gestured for him to have a seat, so he took one at the counter as she got down a teacup. She poured tea into it then placed it in front of Alaric.

"Is there anything I can help you with this morning?" Lyra asked. "Or perhaps this is a friendly neighborly visit?"

Alaric chuckled before taking a sip out of the teacup. He let out an appreciative hum because it was the best tea he's ever had.

"Friendly neighborly visit." Alaric answered as he set the cup down. "I was just wondering if you needed any help still unpacking, but…"

He trailed off looking around the place to see there wasn't even one sign of a cardboard box or unpacked bags.

"It seems as if you're done." He said.

He's a bit surprised anyone could unpack so fast. When he first moved here it took him sometime to finally empty the last box. Technically he still had somethings boxed away.

"Yes, I didn't bring much with me." Lyra explained. "I wanted to settle in for a bit before having my other things sent to me."

That wasn't a lie because she left half of her stuff in England. Like her cat Cleopatra. Her library, and a few other things that will have to be moved in with magic because she's going to have to use multiple extension charms on this apartment to get everything to fit. She thought she would be okay with this smallish apartment, but she almost felt as if she was suffocating. She needed more room.

"Well, if you need any help with that, let me know." Alaric said.

"Of course," Lyra said. "Thank-you, Alaric."

Alaric nodded when his phone started ringing. His brows furrowed before he pulled it out of his pocket. He frowned at the screen, which had Lyra wondering if something was wrong. He excused himself before stepping away from the kitchenette to make the call.

"Yeah, Damon?" Alaric asked as he answered the phone.

Lyra watched him for a moment before returning to the reports she had been looking at. She didn't want to ease drop on his conversation especially it involved someone like Damon Salvatore. She read more thoroughly through the reports because she needed to start planning how she was going to tackle this situation. She had to be careful when going after these Death Eaters.

If she did it too aggressively humors would be spread about Aurors being hot on their trails, which would make some of them flee to even darker and harder to find places. And while she wanted to go straight for where Bellatrix was last sighted, she knew she would have to remain patient until the moment was right. She frowned because sometimes finding the logical route was the most annoying. She didn't know how those from Ravenclaw could stand being wise and logical all the time. She looked up from the reports when she heard Alaric finishing his conversation.

"Okay, I'll see what I can find." Alaric said. "Yeah, see you in a bit."

He flipped his phone shut then placed it inside his pocket before turning to Lyra.

"Sorry, I have to go." He said. "Something came up."

By something Lyra was sure it meant some kind of supernatural something. Especially if it involved a Salvatore. However, as long as things didn't get too out of hand, Lyra could care less about what Damon is plotting or doing.

"It's alright." Lyra said. "I understand, but please take some tea to go. I always find tea helps in stressful and sometimes downright annoying situations. And if you are spending time with the lovely elder Salvatore, you will need it."

Alaric chuckled finding Lyra to be quite the witty young woman. Lyra got up from the counter to grab a thermos from one of her cupboards. She poured what had been in Alaric's cup inside then poured even more from the kettle. She put the lid on then handed it to Alaric, who took it.

"Thank-you." Alaric said. "I'll be sure to bring this back to you."

Lyra nodded to him then thanked him for stopping by as she walked him to the door. They said their goodbyes before Alaric went to return to the loft and Lyra shut the door. Once the door was shut, Lyra sighed knowing she had a lot of work to do. She was sure Abel wouldn't be here until much later because she had to keep up appearances with her muggle neighbors, and apparently the entire town was getting ready for a charity event.

"Before work, I really do need to get the rest of my things here." Lyra said. "I miss Cleopatra terribly."

And if she didn't extend this apartment of hers, she'd die due to suffocation. She couldn't make this area more open because this would be where her muggle guests would be and visit. She would most likely leave the main bedroom alone as well in case a muggle guest decides to spend the night. She doesn't know why one would, but it's best to be prepared. She'll just had a master sweet to the upstairs she'll be adding along with her library. She might even add a greenhouse to grow her own herbs and plants.

"So much to do so little time." She said then snapped her fingers, so the pictures would resume their movement.

As night was starting to fall, Lyra was adding the last finishing touches to her master sweet when she heard a voice coming from her living room.

"Lyra, why are there so many boxes?" She heard Abel call. "And why is there a house elf in your living room?"

Lyra frowned because there shouldn't be a house elf in her living room, but she had asked for her things to be delivered. She left the sweet while heading down the small spiral staircase that took her into the library. The sweet was actually just a loft she made above the library. She still needed to add a bathroom and the greenhouse, but they could wait. She walked out of the door that was supposed to lead to a closet into the living room. Abel blinked at her obviously wandering why she was coming out of a closet.

"I asked for more of my things to be delivered." Lyra asked. "And what do you mean by a house—?!"

Lyra cut herself off while seeing Kreacher was sitting on one of the suitcases in her room while holding Cleopatra's cat carrier.

"Kreacher?" Lyra asked.

Kreacher hopped down from the suitcase while setting down the carrier that held a mewling Cleopatra inside.

"Kreacher is here, young mistress." He said. "Kreacher is here to serve the Noble House of Black."

Lyra couldn't believe what she was seeing. She told Kreacher to remain with Andromeda and to watch out for Teddy. Instead, he defies her orders and comes here. He never defies her orders.

"Kreacher, you're supposed to be back in England." Lyra said. "I can't keep you here. You know that."

Kreacher's large bat like ears drooped and he looked down at the ground. Lyra could have sworn his little pointed chin even quivered. Lyra sighed having a feeling she wasn't getting rid of this house elf until his death. And he's been alive since the birth of her grandmother. He helped look after her, her parents, and herself. He's practically helped raise three generations of Black. Well, he didn't teach the children moral values or anything, but if he wasn't around to make the bottles and clean them, they probably never would have made it to adulthood.

"Fine, fine," Lyra said. "If you must stay here, you can never leave that closet unless I say otherwise."

Lyra pointed over to the closet that had many more rooms inside. Kreacher could keep up those rooms, and should be satisfied without the muggles getting a chance to see him.

"Yes, of course, Lady Black." Kreacher said eagerly. "Shall Kreacher put away your things?"

Lyra sighed knowing if she didn't let him, he'd go find something else to do. If he isn't kept busy he does nervous cleaning, or he does chores Lyra never understood.

"Yes, please." Lyra said. "I will see to Cleopatra, however."

Kreacher nodded then snapped his fingers with all the boxes and Kreacher disappearing to probably be located inside the closet. Lyra then looked to her guest.

"Good evening, Abel." Lyra said as she knelt down to the cat carrier to release Cleopatra. "May I help you?"

Abel just blinked for a second as she watched a silver Egyptian Mau stepping out from the carrier to be picked up by Lyra. Lyra stood while cradling the feline in her arms.

"I just wanted to check in on you since I couldn't be here while you were going over the reports." Abel said. "I had no idea you had a house elf."

Lyra sighed while stroking her cat friend's neck, which brought a purr out of the feline.

"He belonged to my grandmother." Lyra said. "I've known him since I was in diapers. After my grandmother died, he was left to my mother and I, and he helped me care for her while she was ill. After my parents died, he was left to me. I tried to free him. I offered him clothes after clothes, but he wouldn't accept them. He started throwing fits and crying, so I decided to keep him. I didn't know what else to do."

Abel nodded in understanding since it sounded as if that house elf was too stubborn to leave.

"I left him to my aunt Andromeda to help her look after Teddy—my godson." Lyra continued. "I had no idea he was here until you said something. Though now I'm going to have to write my aunt to let her know where he is."

"No, you won't." A familiar voice said behind Lyra.

Lyra stiffened with her eyes widening as Abel jumped since she had no idea anyone had arrived. Both young witches turned to look and see Andromeda herself standing there with Teddy in her arms. Not only that, but a certain George Weasley was there as well.

"Hello, Ly." George said grinning broadly. "Can't believe you left your best mate in England without a goodbye. You naughty girl, you."

He shook his finger at her and winked as Lyra tried to figure out what the three of them were doing here. She then noticed the look on her aunt's face while instantly knowing she was in trouble. She tried to put a smile on her face though found it a bit hard to so.

"Aunt Andromeda, George, how lovely of you to visit." Lyra said. "And you brought Teddy."

Lyra set Cleopatra down, and the feline went to acquaint herself with her new surroundings. Lyra walked over to her aunt and George to kiss them both on their cheeks before she took Teddy from Andromeda.

"How is my favorite boy?" Lyra cooed at her godson.

She had been named his godmother by Tonks while Remus had named Harry the godfather. Even so it was Andromeda who took care of her grandson. Teddy giggled and answered her by turning his hair and eye color the same as hers, which brought a chuckle from Lyra.

"Don't think using Teddy as a shield will save you, young lady." Andromeda warned her.

Lyra pursed her lips while supposing her idea of just cutting her old life away was a bad idea. She should have known her stubborn aunt would have hunted her down.

"You were supposed to write the moment you arrived to America, but nothing was ever sent!" Andromeda said. "The first time you send any kind of message it's to Kingsley! It ask for your things! Did you even think of your worrying aunt?"

Lyra sighed though supposed she had been a bit selfish by not thinking about Andromeda and the others when she left. She had only told Andromeda she was leaving in the first place.

"I apologize to you, auntie." Lyra said sincerely then to George. "And to you as well, George."

"I suppose I'll forgive you if you introduce me to your lovely lady friend." George said winking in Abel's direction.

Lyra had almost completely forgotten about Abel's presence, but immediately went to make introductions.

"Right, my apologizes." Lyra said as she came to stand next to Abel with Teddy still in her arms. "Abel, this is my aunt Andromeda Tonks, and my best mate from school George Weasley. Auntie, George, this is Abel Summers the auror I was partnered with."

Lyra noticed how Andromeda looked Abel over obviously noticing Abel was rather young. Like fresh out of school young. Lyra could see worry in Andromeda's eyes, and Lyra was sure Andromeda had been expecting Lyra to be partnered with a veteran auror for a mission such as this.

"And this is Edward Tonks, my cousin and grandson." Lyra said. "But we call him Teddy."

At the sound of his name, Teddy smiled while laying his head on Lyra's shoulder. Abel said hello to Teddy then looked to Andromeda and George.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you." Abel said smiling politely.

"The pleasure is mine, fairy lady." George said as he walked over to grasp her hand to place a cheesy kiss on it.

Abel giggled slightly, and Lyra actually rolled her eyes. It was like being back in Hogwarts all over again. The twins and their flirty antics had always been amusing, but at the same time exasperating. Lyra looked to Teddy as his nose scrunched up.

"Yes, I know it's such a disturbing display." Lyra said while walking away to leave George to his flirting.

She walked over to Andromeda with a truly apologetic look on her face as she faced her.

"Auntie, I'm more apologetic than I can express." Lyra said. "I have just been busy, and…it's been a rough few days adjusting."

That was part of the truth. Lyra just didn't want to explain the part where she had decided in the first place to try and cut her family from her life. Andromeda's gaze softened as she reached forward to gently brush Lyra's hair back.

"Is it the nightmares, love?" She asked gently.

Lyra sighed though nodded her heads. The nightmares were still an issue, but Lyra was working on getting the potion ingredients she needed to make her own dreamless sleep draught and calming draught. Hopefully then she'll get a goodnight's rest.

"You could always come home." Andromeda said. "Where it's nice and safe, and where your family is there to look after you."

Lyra smiled softly at her aunt knowing Andromeda worried greatly for her. They both lost a lot of family. The two of them and Teddy were practically all they had left. Yes, there was Narcissa and her children-Draco and Isadora. Then her great aunt Phoenix and her children and grandchildren. They all had Black Blood in their veins. However, out of those named only Andromeda, Narcissa, Phoenix, and Lyra herself had pure Black blood running through them.

"You know I can't do that." Lyra said. "I have to do this. I have to bring in Bellatrix and Lucius."

Bellatrix was of the Black Family like them, but as far as Lyra was concerned Bellatrix was no family of hers. However, since they bare the same blood, Lyra has made it her responsibility to bring Bellatrix in.

"They have to pay for their crimes." Lyra said. "Just as do all the other Death Eaters. We can't let them loose, or who knows what they might do once they get the courage to start causing trouble again."

Andromeda sighed though Lyra could see she understood her cause more now than she had before. Lyra smiled at her while reaching out with one arm to hug her as the other held Teddy.

"I love you, auntie." Lyra whispered. "And I will try to be safe for you."

Lyra will live her life and try not to be killed to at least live for Andromeda. However, that doesn't change her mind on not continuing the family line. They would be the last of their family. And the remaining blood of their family spread throughout the pureblood houses in Europe will dwindle out of existence. As weird as this might sound, those thoughts brought Lyra some peace. Those thoughts helped her when everything else seemed to be going to hell.

"Are you sure you'll be comfortable here?" Lyra asked George as she brought out some pillows and a blanket to him.

After Abel left for the night saying a family emergency came up—which Lyra offered to help her with, but Abel declined—it was decided Andromeda and the others would stay here for the night. Andromeda was taking the sweet with Teddy while Lyra was going to sleep in own room. She offered to let George have the bed since it was longer than her couch, but he declined her offer.

"I'll be fine, Ly." George said grinning at her as he took the blanket and pillows. "Wouldn't be the first time I camped out on a couch."

Lyra nodded then watched as he prepared the couch for him to sleep on tonight.

"I'm sorry, George." She said suddenly.

George paused in unfolding the blanket to look at his friend as she bit her lip. A nervous habit she'd had since they met in their first year, but Fred had been with them then. The three had become fast friends, and caused much trouble together. One might not believe it when looking at Lyra now and how she behaves, but she used to be the worst prankster of them all.

"I was afraid to say goodbye to everyone." Lyra said. "But out of all the people in my life, you deserved a proper goodbye the most."

She looked at him sincerely as she said this, and he could see she was truly sorry for not saying goodbye. He gave her a soft smile before pulling her into his arms. He rested his head on top of hers as her arms came around him with her hands clenching the back of his shirt like he was a lifeline.

"It's alright." George said. "I understand, Ly. Things have been hard…for all of us, but I want you to understand, you're not alone. Even if we're thousands of miles away, if you need me, I will be here for you. You can't fight the darkness alone, Ly. Didn't Freddy tell you that once?"

Lyra felt her eyes water at the mention of Fred as her throat felt painfully tight. Fred Weasley had been the one and only guy who made Lyra feel vulnerable and unsure. The only one who ever put butterflies in her stomach, and made her feel like she was someone important. Not because of her blood status or who her family was. But because of her personality. Because of who she was as a person. He was the only man she ever loved, and he was gone. Someone else she lost in the sea of others. She could have started a family with Fred. She could have been happy with him and their children, but a future like that—a future of happiness—was impossible now.

"It's alright to cry, Lyra." George said. "There's nothing wrong with it at all."

At his words Lyra already felt the tears starting to roll down her eyes. Soon a sob left her lips, and she buried her face in George's chest to let out months of pent up emotion. She let out a muffled scream of pain as her body shook from the tears. George held her tightly while feeling his own eyes water when hearing how broken his best friend—the woman who almost became his sister though she practically was family anyway—sounded. Lyra has always been the strong one. The one others cried too when their lives seemed to be at its worst.

She was the one that told people to keep their chins up, and to look to the brighter tomorrow that was sure to come. When everyone else looked ready to give up, she always encouraged to them to keep going. To fight for a brighter future. Now, she was the one who needed the encouraging. She was the one who needed a person to cry to. She needed love and comfort, and George would help her in any way he could. He just hoped it was enough because he's never seen anyone so broken.

But he would do whatever he could to see Lyra smile again with that mischievous twinkle in her eye. He would do anything to hear her laugh again. Not just for her or for him, but for Fred as well. He was sure his brother's heart had to be breaking to see his girl in such a state as he watched over them from wherever the afterlife took him.

"It's going to be okay, Ly." George promised. "You'll pull through this. "You always do."

Lyra didn't fully believe his words. She knew he was trying to be honest with her. She knew in his heart, he believed she could pull through, but she had no confidence in herself. She was broken into to many pieces. Completely shattered, and there was nothing on this earth even magic that could put her back together again and there not be any cracks. The Lyra Black of old was gone, and there was nothing in this world that could ever bring her back.