She Wolf ;; Lyra Eadric && Theo

[LYRA ALVAH AVERY]

Eadric was talking a lot (well, for him it was a lot, for most people it was positively taciturn) so she knew that he had been nervous about her approaching the Unicorn, no matter what he said, or how he acted. But Lyra was thrilled, even though the Unicorn had run off now. The Unicorn had let her get really close, and had even let her touch it. So it didn't think she was a monster! Lyra couldn't stop smiling slightly to herself.

He said that was quite enough for one day, and Lyra agreed. Theo suggested that she tried a second time, and Lyra continued to smile. It wasn't that she was bored of Unicorns now (that, she thought, would never happen) but seeing that Unicorn, and being able to approach it, had been more than enough for her. She had never been that near a Unicorn this close to the full moon.

Eadric asked Theo a question, and Lyra was pulled out of her thoughts, focusing on Theo again. Eadric was right, he had seemed deep in thought, and Lyra had noticed. She assumed it was to do with his girl troubles. She didn't want to press him, since it was personal and probably private, but she didn't think that there was anything wrong with Eadric's question.

Lyra listened, fascinated as Theo explained his problems. Honestly, they didn't seem that big to her, but then again she had absolutely no experience when it came to relationships. She was bitten at just Thirteen, and before that she had been a kid. Lyra wondered why on earth Theo's friend would have kissed him, when he said that he had no feelings for her at all? Did she think that he had, or just hoped for it? And did she know about Theo and the other girl he liked? She assumed not, because it sounded to her like Theo was spoken for.

"That's what happened, then," Lyra heard Eadric saying, and looked at him, frowning ever so slightly. "I'd heard about that, but I didn't know the full story."

So this development in their cousins life wasn't news to Eadric, then? Lyra didn't wonder why Eadric hadn't told her, because rumours about Theo's love life weren't exactly of great importance. "I hadn't," she said, feeling as though she were stating the obvious. The whole school could potentially know about something, and Lyra might still have been left out of the loop. She didn't really have friends to gossip with, even if she had been interested. "People don't tell me things." she noticed that she sounded slightly bitter, and resolved to wipe that tone from her voice.

"Just explain it to her, Theo," she said, "I'm sure she'll understand. It all seems clear to me." Lyra was so used to dealing with unsolvable problems, such as the day-to-day of being a Werewolf, and her dead father (previously her Death Eater father) that the idea of a problem like that being life altering jarred with her. Any reasonable person would understand what Theo had just told them. He couldn't help what someone else did. You couldn't control everyone.

Maybe if Theo and his girlfriend (or friend he liked, whichever) had a real problem occur, then they would be more willing to over look trivialities. But Lyra knew she was being condescending. It probably didn't seem at all trivial to Theo, and just because not everyone was a Werewolf didn't mean they didn't have problems of their own.

Lyra started walking at a slow pace again. The Unicorn had gone now, and the forest (and very soon the school) was starting to wake up. Eadric fell into step beside her, as she knew he would, and she expected Theo would join them on her other side. She didn't like to stand still, and would rather walk and talk.

[EADRIC JAMES AVERY]

Eadric could tell that Lyra was happy with her exchange with the Unicorn, because she had a gentle smile on her face that didn't seem to want to go away. Lyra seemed so strong to Eadric, being dealt the hand that she had while still being able to find happiness in small things like that. But she could be as strong as an Ox, and Eadric would still want to protect her, and see her as fragile. It was an odd juxtaposition in his head.

Theo explained his problems with the two girls, and Eadric nodded. Yes, he had heard about that, but he hadn't known or cared about the details. Eadric disdained rumours, for obvious reasons. He hadn't bothered to mention it to Lyra. Eadric frowned, his eyebrows coming together slightly as Theo explained the ins and outs of it. It was times like this he was glad he didn't bother with women. Lyra was the only decent one he knew. He knew he could never have had the patience to deal with something like that. Especially those two girls, making a huge deal over nothing. Like it mattered. Like any of it mattered, really. When he saw what Lyra went through every month, Eadric had no sympathy for a girl who was upset because someone had kissed the boy she fancied.

"That's what happened, then," he said, once Theo had finished his story, sounding matter of fact rather than overly sympathetic. "I'd heard about that, but I didn't know the full story." Eadric was sure that Theo knew the story of his 'love triangle' was going around the students. It didn't take much to get them excited. For the most part he was almost as out of it as Lyra was, because he spoke to so few people, and clearly wasn't much of a gossip. Hell, he hardly spoke, never mind gossiped!

Lyra said that she hadn't heard, which wasn't a surprise to Eadric, although he couldn't help but let it make him slightly angry. Any reminder of how the rest of the school treated his sister made him angry. Then Lyra continued, saying that people didn't tell her things, and Eadric could hear a definite edge to her voice. His temper flared, and he clenched his jaw, staying quiet. As if he needed another reason to leave his classmates to their own devices. They were worthless, treating someone like Lyra the way they did. He was sick of it, all of it.

He didn't speak, not trusting himself to, and let Lyra continue. Privately, he agreed with her. It didn't seem all that complicated to him. But with a lot of people- not just girls- it didn't matter how simple or how complicated a situation was, they would only understand if they wanted to. If they wanted to be upset, they would be. Lyra started walking, and Eadric fell into step on her left. He looked down at her for a moment as they walked. She didn't seem too upset about her classmates behaviour, and the edge to her voice had disappeared when she continued talking. He allowed himself to relax slightly, because if he seemed angry that would only drag the whole thing up for Lyra, and if she had let it go for now then he would too.

"Lyra's right," he said to Theo "if she doesn't understand, its because she doesn't want to. Or because she's stupid." he added, not quite being able to completely hide his impatience with the girl, who was coming across as more vapid by the minute.

[THEODORE JACOB NOTT]

The story seemed to dawn on Eadric as he realized that that's what happened. Of course the rumors were flying, and Theo shrugged and nodded in his direction as Lyra spoke up that she hadn't heard anthing about it. His face fell ever so slightly, feeling the slightest bit bad for his cousin. He was so used to being.. .well, the center of attention really, at least in Slytherin house, that he couldn't imagine what it was like to not know anything that was going on. He felt like he always knew what was going on. He knew about Parry and Grayson... well, he knew they were at the ball together, and that didn't sit quite right with him, he obviously knew about Daphne and Vivian. Everything else either came from other people or The Underground. He felt like he should say something, and he noticed that Eadric seemed slightly more tense, and he wondered what was going through the boy's mind before he turned his attention back to Lyra. He knew why no one told her things; they were all terrified of her, or treated her like a social pariah. She didn't deserve it, obviously. All you had to do was have one conversation with Lyra to know she wasn't a horrible monster or a horrible person. She was just... Lyra. She always had been, in Theo's eyes. Still, even if he knew why no one talked to you, the joke slipped from his lips before he ever thought to stop it.

"Probably because no one in Ravenclaw cares about my love life," he said with a wink, smiling the best he could. He knew that Lyra being a social outcast wasn't easy for Lyra, and Eadric took the burden of dealing with it upon his shoulders, so it was a burden they would bear together. Still, he made light of a lot of situations in his life, and he hoped that they wouldn't take it personally if he made light of some of their situations. It wasn't that he enjoyed poking fun at them, at all, it was more the point that Lyra seemed used to it by now, and even if it still made her slightly bitter, which he would never blame her for, he didn't see the point in staying out right mad at people for it. Make them look like the idiots. Make them the butt of all your jokes, don't sit and stew over it.

Lyra's advice was so simplistic that Theo had almost said 'like I hadn't thought of that already?' Of course he planned to explain it to her, and Lyra obviously didn't know Daphne very well so how could she give any other advice? It was good advice.

"I've been trying to find her all week," he admitted as they started walking again. Eadric fell beside Lyra and Theo walked up to walk on her other side, and together the three of them ventured further into the forest Lyra probably knew like the back of her hand and Theo knew almost nothing about. He hardly ventured into the forest, and he wouldn't even have that morning if it hadn't been for the fog.

Eadric spoke up agreeing that he should just explain things, and that it would be fine. Clearly neither of them had much experience with women. At least, not the same kinds of women he'd found himself with. Still, Daphne was a sensible girl, and Eadric was right, if he explained it she would understand if she wanted to, and if she didn't she wouldn't, and all hope of them ever being together would be lost. At his comment that she was stupid he let out a laugh.

"Don't let her hear you say that," he said, laughing again before nodding. "I mean, I know you guys are right. It's all really simple. Maybe I'm nervous," Theo shrugged, not really sure talking about his girl problems was going to get any of them anywhere. Lyra and Eadric didn't see the big deal in the situation, and he didn't blame them, really. It wasn't a big deal, not compared to the other stuff the three of them had dealt with over the years. His mother being murdered, Lyra being bit by a werewolf, losing their father in the battle. Theo only wished he'd been so lucky that Nott had been killed. Unfortunately he was still very much alive and kicking, and punching, and fighting with Theo every chance he got.

The fighting had gotten easier as of late mostly because Theo was better with a wand than Nott Sr, and stronger, too. His father put on a brilliant facade, but Theo knew him for the pathetic coward he was, and that fact alone would always make Theo the winner. Theo was not a coward. He had a spine, and that would always triumph over his sniveling father. Theo always tried to end the fights as quickly as he could, if his father had killed his mother, who he loved, he could only imagine what the man would do to a son he hated. In fact, part of Theo was surprised his father hadn't done something about him already. Perhaps that day would come. Soon enough his father would try something, but when? And when would Theo finally be able to get ahold of his real father. It wasn't a pleasant thought to have, and so Theo pushed his thoughts elsewhere, anywhere else, really.

His eyes lifted from the ground. He hadn't even realized his eyes had fallen until he picked them back up and surveyed the area around them.

"So is it usually really painful, when you transform?" he looked toward Lyra. He wasn't sure if she'd want to talk about it, and she didn't have to if she didn't want to. He was curious, and he would rather talk about their problems than his own. They didn't seem to really see his problems as problems, and though he wouldn't hold that against them he'd avoid talking about it from now on unless it truly was a problem of sorts.

[LYRA ALVAH AVERY]

Lyra smiled wryly as Theo said that she hadn't heard because no one in Ravenclaw cared about his love life. "Well, that too," she said. She knew Theo was just trying to make light of the situation. It could be difficult for some people, especially those who weren't used to it. It could make them awkward, and unsure of what to say.

She nodded as Theo said that he had been trying to find the girl all week. Well, that would explain it then. But if the girl didn't want to talk about it, then it seemed like she didn't want to understand. Or maybe she just feared the worst. But either Theo would sort it out, or he wouldn't, and either way he'd be fine in the end. She was just a girl, after all. It was just a teenage romance.

Eadric agreed with Lyra, as she had known that he would. Lyra smiled, knowing Eadric's attitude to girls like this one. Theo said that he had better not let said girl hear him saying those things, and Lyra heard Eadric snort slightly. Lyra couldn't blame him; he doubted there was anything the girl could do to even ruffle Eadric's feathers. "She's a Slytherin then, I take it," Lyra said, teasingly. "Thinks she's a 'tough girl', hmm?" A lot of the Slytherin's seemed to be almost parodies of themselves.

Theo said that he was nervous, and then fell quiet. Lyra and Eadric allowed him his silence, both being comfortable with not talking. Lyra especially was used to being around Eadric a lot, and so understood the value of silence.

The forest was starting to wake up, and a slightly brighter sunlight was beginning to shine through the canopy of leaves. The sun cleared the mist slightly, though not completely. Lyra could hear birds singing quietly in the distance, although inside the forest the trees muffled the sound. It was still peaceful, although everything seemed slightly brighter, more real and alive some how. Early in the morning the forest had a mystical, other realm like feel to it.

Then Theo broke the silence suddenly with an unexpected question. Lyra was slightly taken aback, and looked up at Theo in surprise. No one had ever asked her that before. No one had ever asked her anything about being a Werewolf quiet so bluntly. Lyra felt rather then heard Eadric next to her, beginning to speak, and she grabbed hold of his wrist to stop him. She could feel how tense he was, but it was okay. She didn't mind, and she would answer.

Lyra thought for a moment, thinking how to put it. "Yes," she said, simply. "Always. The potion is supposed to help slightly, but it doesn't, not really. It only helps once I'm transformed. It doesn't help the transformation."

It was always painful, every time, and it never got easier. She never got used to it. It felt as though she was being ripped from her skin... although that didn't really describe it. Lyra didn't think there was any way to really describe the pain. She could feel Eadric's anger at Theo bringing it up, and his discomfort at hearing Lyra talk about the pain, and didn't let go of his wrist.

[EADRIC JAMES AVERY]

Eadric smiled slightly as Lyra replied to Theo's idea of a joke. He knew Theo liked to make light of situations, and it wasn't Eadric's favourite quality. But it wasn't anything too terrible, so he let it slide without comment.

When Theo said that he'd better not let his girl hear what he was saying, Eadric snorted. Sure, whatever Theo said. He wouldn't want to incur the wrath of a hissy fit. Really the biggest threat the girl would pose to him was really pushing his nerves. He doubted he would have a modicum of patience for any girl who challenged him for what he said.

Eadric almost laughed as Lyra made a joke about the Slytherins. He found it funny, and it rang true. It was even funnier coming from Lyra, with her cheeky tone. Eadric didn't really laugh out loud very much. He tended to keep things inside more, but that didn't mean he didn't appreciate humour.

Theo went quite, and Eadric let him glad for the silence. Eadric enjoyed peace and quiet. He glanced down at Lyra, like he often did, thinking of her before he thought of himself. She looked like she was enjoying walking around the forest. She too didn't mind silence, which probably came from putting up for him for so many years. Lyra was looking around at the forest, and Eadric knew that she felt at home here. She liked being outside, and surrounded by animals.

But then Theo asked his question, and any trace of a smile left Eadric's face. How could he be so insensitive? Did he really think Lyra would want to talk about something like that. He felt rage bubbling up inside him, and started to speak, when he felt Lyra's hand grabbing his wrist. Her fingers were small, and could only just encircle his wrist, but he allowed her to calm him. He stopped speaking, allowing Lyra handle the situation, although it was only out of love for Lyra that he did so, not out of respect for Theo, and his stupid question.

He didn't want to control her, and so if she wanted to answer she could. He listened, his jaw and fists clenched, as Lyra talked about the pain of her transformations.

Eadric had never asked her about it, because he had never needed to. He heard her screams when she transformed when they were at home, at their house, and Lyra transformed in her locked room. While at Hogwarts, Lyra went to the Shrieking Shack to transform. They had been told that their old Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, who had also been a Werewolf, had transformed there when he was at Hogwarts. It was because of him that the tunnel had been dug, and the Whomping Willow planted. Back then it was necessary, because the Wolfsbane potion hadn't been invented left, and Lupin couldn't keep his human mind when he transformed. When he taught at Hogwarts he took his potion and transformed in his office. But Lyra didn't have an office, or anywhere private she could call her own in which to transform. She chose to go down to the shrieking shack, so she could be doubly sure that she wouldn't hurt anyone. Eadric had wanted to go with her, but the teachers didn't want that. Not that that would have stopped him, if it wasn't for Lyra. Lyra refused to let Eadric accompany her when she transformed. He knew she was scared she would hurt him.

So Eadric walked down with her to the Whomping Willow, and sat just out of reach of its branches all night, tearing his hair out as he thought of the horrible pain Lyra endured as she transformed. He pictured her sitting alone in wolf form in the desolate building, and felt empty. He waited until the moon set, and Lyra came back to the castle. He could always see the toll transforming took on her, written all over her face, and her small fragile frame

He was glad that Lyra kept hold of his wrist, keeping him calm, because he wanted to hit Theo for bringing up Lyra's transformations. He kept quiet, not trusting himself to speak.

[THEODORE JACOB NOTT]

Lyra looked up at him in shock and he almost apologized, telling her that she didn’t have to talk about it if she didn’t want to, but then Eadric reacted before he got the chance. You couldn’t miss Eadric’s tensing at Theo’s question and he began to mutter something, obviously angry, but Lyra was quick to stop him and Theo’s face contorted into one of confusion mixed with anger. It was Lyra’s condition, not Eadric’s, what was Eadric getting his boxers all in a twist for? Lyra was a big girl, she could answer her own questions, and if she didn’t want to talk about it than she wouldn’t have to. It was a question. Maybe it was insensitive, maybe it wasn’t. It was a simple question, a yes or no answer would suffice. He’d never know what it was like to transform into a werewolf, and it probably hurt, but it was a relatively simple question, nothing to get up in arms about.

He opened his mouth to say something, his eyes narrowed in Eadric’s direction as Lyra began speaking. It was a simple answer, and Theo nodded toward her, letting his anger be replaced with sadness for his cousin.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said with a small sigh. She didn’t need to give him any more detail than she had. It was a gruesome process, Theo knew, but he thought maybe over the years you got used to it. Apparently not. Eadric still remained quiet and Theo’s own anger flared back up the slightest bit at the boy. It wasn’t like he was just some guy asking Lyra about her condition. He was family, they were a family, but apparently that didn’t count for much when it came to Lyra. Theo should have known better than to ask. Maybe if Eadric wasn’t there it would have been fine. He narrowed his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh before looking at his younger cousin, who was holding Eadric’s wrist. Theo smirked before letting out an amused laugh.

”Were you really planning on hitting me, Eadric? Merlin’s sake it was a question…” he said with a slight laugh, amused a bit by the entire thing, probably more than he should have been. He wouldn’t hit someone who asked his sister about her werewolf condition, especially if it was one of the two in front of him. They’d been closer when they were kids, but now… apparently things had changed. I mean, Theo got that Eadric wanted to protect Lyra, but really… she wasn’t a bloody china doll! She’d been through more than most people would in their entire lives, more than Eadric certainly had, and at that realization Theo was off and there was no stopping him. He knew this would bring nothing good but he was angry that Eadric was being so... so him.

”In case you haven’t noticed, Eadric, it’s Lyra’s condition, not yours. I know you want to be there for her, but stop acting like it’s your bloody problem. It’s not,” he said, and when the words left his mouth even his own eyes widened. He took it too far, and he knew he had. He felt like he’d been insensitive to Lyra for real now, and his eyes softened and flashed to her, sending her a silent apology for his words. But Eadric? He wasn’t afraid of Eadric. Let Eadric start swinging fists, or start a duel, he wasn’t afraid in either case. Even if Eadric won, Theo didn’t care….Perhaps Vivian was beginning to rub off on him. He smirked at the thought before his eyes focused on his cousins once more.

[LYRA ALVAH AVERY]

Lyra could tell that she didn't have Theo's full attention, even as she answered his question. He kept looking towards Eadric, gauging his reaction. Lyra didn't look in Eadric's direction herself, but she didn't have to. She kept a tight grasp on his wrist, and knew that he wasn't happy. He didn't like to hear her talk about the pain, she knew that. But Theo had asked, and it wasn't an unreasonable question. Okay, yes, it had been slightly insensitive, and it wasn't the nicest thing to hear the hell you went through every month referred to so casually, as though it were nothing.

But it was a natural thing to be curious about, and she didn't mind answering, not as much as Eadric did. She knew Eadric wouldn't be happy, but he wouldn't say anything if she wanted him not to.

Theo said that he was sorry, and Lyra nodded. 'I'm sorry to hear that' wasn't a particularly good response, but really what was? It was just what people said.

And then Theo looked at Eadric, and how Lyra was holding onto his wrist, and he laughed. Lyra frowned, not sure what Theo found so funny about the two of them, but then Theo continued.

Lyra automatically gripped Eadric harder at Theo's words, and she felt his tension rise. She knew full well that Eadric wasn't planning to hit Theo. Not everyone responded to someone pushing their buttons by lashing out like that. That, in Lyra's opinion, was a Slytherin trait. If someone appeared to put you down in anyway, you had to show what a big man you were. Even Lyra, with his penchant for fighting, wouldn't do that. She knew Eadric was fuming, and she looked up at him, shaking her head slightly. She didn't want this to escalate. Let what Theo said be written off as a childish remark.

"No one was going to hit anyone," she said, but with a slight edge to her voice. She was annoyed at Theo for saying so, because he couldn't honestly think that had been Eadric's intention.

But Theo didn't stop there. At Theo's next words Lyra looked back at him, her eyes wide, hurt. She had answered his question, been nothing but nice to him, and now he was lashing out at Eadric, trying to provoke him. He was talking about her being a Werewolf like it was nothing, like his girl problems were something worse. He was insulting her brother, who had been there for her through everything, who protected her no matter what. Honestly, Lyra didn't know what she had done to deserve that, or what Eadric had done. So he had been angry, and possibly even looked it; that wasn't a crime. Eadric couldn't help how he felt, and he hadn't done anything about it.

Eadric however, wasn't hurt. He was furious. Lyra had barely had time to look at Theo, when she had to turn her attention back to Eadric. He tried to get past her, to get to Theo, but Lyra pushed him back, her hands on his chest, even though she was about half his size, and much weaker. Still, she knew Eadric wouldn't push her aside.

"I don't need the opinion of a slimy Slytherin like you, Nott," Lyra heard Eadric say over her head, in a low growl. She pushed hard on his chest, keeping him a safe distance away from their cousin.

"Eadric, stop," she said, quietly, "its not worth it." She wanted to say 'he's not worth it', but she didn't want to fuel Eadric's fire; any hint that she had a low opinion of their cousin at this moment, and Eadric would take it as confirmation that she was even slightly okay with him hitting Theo square in the face

[EADRIC JAMES AVERY]

Eadric was shaken out of his thoughts, out of his memories of Lyra changing, by Theo's speaking directly to him. His blood boiled at his words. No, he hadn't been planning to hit him (although he wanted to now), and no, it wasn't just a question. Just like Lyra wasn't only a Werewolf (as if it were no big deal? Not that big of a problem?). Just like it wasn't just pain that she felt. Eadric had never asked Lyra, but he had read extensively on the subject of Werewolves. He had had the pain described to him by many different authors, and no account was comforting.

Lyra tried to calm the situation, and Eadric stayed silent. Inwardly he was fuming.

But Theo didn't take Lyra's cue, and continued in the same tone, although this time pushing even further. And at Theo's next words, Eadric wanted to kill him. He made to go for his cousin, but felt resistance against his chest, and looked down to see Lyra pushing him back. He could have pushed past her, of course he could, he was much stronger, and much taller. But he wouldn't be rough with her, and she didn't want him to fight Theo. That much was clear. Although he didn't know why she would care, after what he had said.

Like Theo had any idea about problems. His big problem was two girls throwing a hissy fit, inconveniencing him. That was his big hardship? He was just a typical Slytherin, a little boy playing the role of a big, tough man, lashing out like a child because he felt like it, sneering as though he knew anything about the situation.

He pushed harder against Lyra, trying to get at his cousin. "I don't need the opinion of a slimy Slytherin like you, Nott," he said, in a low growl. His blood was pumping, and he wanted very much to wipe the smirk of his cousin's face.

Lyra was talking to him, saying it wasn't worth it, but he didn't believe her. It would be very much worth it. The only thing keeping him away from his cousin was the fact that she wanted him to stay back. Unlike Theo, he wouldn't try to upset Lyra.

[THEODORE JACOB NOTT]

Eadric reacted immediately to his statement, which Theo had expected and Theo instinctively took a step back and took his wand out, though he didn’t brandish it. It was instinct at that point, but this was still his family, and he wouldn’t harm them unless they tried to harm him first, which Eadric very clearly wanted to do. Eadric said he didn’t need the opinion of a slimy Slytherin and the apologetic look that had been on his face was once again replaced with a smirk.

“Please, let’s try an insult I haven’t heard before, Avery,
” he said with another slightly amused sigh. The look of absolute rage in his cousin’s eyes made him feel slightly bad, and poor little Lyra who was holding him back from outright attacking Theo. He wasn’t sure why his cousin had such a short switch, but he’d never done good around those kinds of people anyway. They were too moody. Let it go, laugh a little, loosen up. People who were too uptight about life tended to get on his nerves, and as a result he tended to get very much on theirs. Example A - fuming Eadric. At Lyra’s words Eadric said nothing but he made another lunging motion and Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His eyes moved from Eadric to Lyra, and he surveyed the two of them, wondering how two twins could be so completely different. He knew he’d pushed things too far, he could tell by the look on Lyra’s face, and even though Lyra was annoyed he could tell, and he hoped, that if he asked she would forgive him. He enjoyed the fact that he had these two outside of Slytherin. They were different than a lot of the other people. They were the only two people, aside from maybe Elliot, that he’d tell personal things too. It was hard to come across people who he fully trusted, but he trusted them, both of them, whether or not they liked it.

He inhaled deeply, holding it in for a second before shaking his head. He brought his hands up to his face, rubbing it gently before shaking his head. His eyes focused on the pair of family members in front of him.

“Look, I’m sorry. I know… that was too far. It wasn’t my intention to offend or hurt,” he began, his eyes moving from Eadric to Lyra. “It was a question. And while I do think you need to lighten up, Eadric, I’m sorry for what I said. You’re just trying to protect her, I get that,” he said with the lightest grin he could manage. He was sorry, and he’d hoped that they’d see that, or, at least, Lyra would see that. Eadric probably wouldn’t forget this for a long time, but Theo could live with that. If they didn’t accept his apology he’d have no choice but to leave.

[LYRA ALVAH AVERY]

Lyra was having a hard time keeping Eadric back, but she kept her hands firmly on his chest, not budging an inch. She really didn't want to see Eadric get in another fight.

After the rumours of her being a Werewolf started spreading, a lot of people started giving her a hard time, asking her questions, making jokes at her expense, generally being nasty. And Eadric had fought a lot of other boys over it. Lyra had hated seeing Eadric fighting like that, even if he did pretty much always win. He had gotten in a lot of trouble, but over time people knew not to bother Lyra any more.

Theo said that maybe Eadric should try an insult he hadn't heard before, and Lyra couldn't help but think what she heard Eadric saying next; he let out a short, mirthless laugh, then said "So I'm not the only one who thinks so, then?"

Lyra knew Eadric was being harsh, but she had to admit that Theo was kind of asking for it.

"Eadric, please," she said. She was sure that it wouldn't take much more before even she couldn't stop Eadric from going for Theo. But then Theo started to apologise. Honestly, it wasn't the best apology in the world, he could have done with leaving out the criticism of Eadric, saying that he took things too seriously.

Eadric stopped trying to get at Theo, though Lyra knew it was only because he wouldn't hit someone who was apologising, not because he wasn't angry any more. He glared at Theo, then walked a few metres away. He needed some space to try and get in control of his anger, Lyra knew. Lyra threw Theo a look. "Thanks a lot," she said, then followed Eadric.

She walked over to him, glancing back at Theo as she went. "Eadric, its okay, really," she said, now that they were out of Theo's ear shot. "You know what he's like, he doesn't take things seriously. I don't care. Honestly." She had taken much worse from people about being a Werewolf, and really what upset her was that Theo was going for Eadric, not what he said to her.

Eadric took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. He looked like he was trying very hard to calm down. Then he looked down at her, and nodded. "Okay," he said, gruffly, "okay." He started to walk back over to Theo, and Lyra made to follow him, but he put out a hand. "Wait," he said, and Lyra stopped, slightly wary.

She watched as Eadric walked over to Theo. For one horrible moment she thought he was going to hit him, but Eadric just said something to Theo that Lyra couldn't hear. Once it looked like he was done, she walked back over to the pair of them. "Okay?" she said, unsure.

[EADRIC JAMES AVERY]

Eadric would have liked nothing better than to get his hands on Theo's smarmy neck. Did he really have to work quite so hard to live up to the Slytherin stereotypy? Lyra was keeping him back, but if Theo said much more he'd find a way around Lyra. Not that that would be very hard.

Theo had his wand out, and Eadric's eyebrows all but knitted together. So he wouldn't even fight him properly? He'd throw snide remarks at him about his sister, and then make sure he didn't hurt his pretty face? Theo was being a coward. At Theo's next words, Eadric let out a one syllable laugh. "So I'm not the only one who thinks so, then?" he said, sure it was true.

He heard Lyra implore him, but there wasn't much that was going to calm him down. Talking about Lyra was the one sure fire way to work Eadric up. Then Theo started to apologise, and while it was definitely lacking Eadric wouldn't allow himself to be so pig headed as to continue trying to get at Theo while he apologised (or tried to, anyway). He stopped trying to get past Lyra.

Eadric heard Theo out, and then walked away. He needed to get some space from Theo, to calm himself down. Lyra followed. She talked about how she was fine, and how she didn't mind. But Eadric did mind.

Still, if Theo had apologised and he continued to be angry at him then the unpleasantness would be his fault, and he knew Lyra wouldn't like that. He didn't want to upset her, especially not this close to the full moon. "Okay," he said, running a hand through his hair, forcing himself to be calm, "okay." He went to walk back to Theo, and Lyra made to follow. Eadric held out a hand to stop her; he wanted a word with Theo out of Lyra's ear shot.

Eadric walked back towards his cousin, trying to be calm, and not sure he was entirely managing. "Listen," he said, his voice low so that Lyra wouldn't hear. "This may all be a joke to you, and you may tell me to lighten up, but this is her life, and its serious to us." He was still frowning, his eyes dark, and took another deep breath to calm himself. "Your problems may be to do with girls, and who your dating this month, but she has to deal with so much more. And that's never going to stop. She can't just quit when she gets bored of it. I would do anything for her, so that makes it my problem."

He hoped Theo got the message. Eadric tried one last time to calm himself, as Lyra came back over.

[THEODORE JACOB NOTT]

Eadric had let out an almost maniacal laugh, which was slightly unnerving, and Theo raised a slight brow, wondering what was so terribly funny. He said he wasn’t the only one who thought so, then, and Theo himself laughed. Oh, Eadric thought he was so terribly clever, didn’t he. He rolled his eyes before narrowing them, not bothering to dignify it with a response. Lyra was pleading with him to stop, and he’d done his apologizing. He had about twelve other things he could say in response to Eadric, but he remained silent. Let Eadric thing he was clever or insulting. He’d been called much worse than Slytherin slime by Daphne Greengrass and his “father.” You tend to develop a thick skin when someone calls you a bastard every time he sees you. Being called Slytherin slime was a little cliché, not to mention it was almost always the first thing to come to mind when you ever wanted to insult any Slytherin ever. He thought Eadric was more clever than that, he was a Ravenclaw after all.

Eadric stormed off then, and Lyra was quick to follow, throwing him a look and sarcastically thanking him. His mouth fell open before he rolled his eyes and watched the pair of them go off together. Like all of this was his fault! Okay, maybe it was, but it wasn’t his fault that Eadric was so completely and utterly uptight about things. He just didn’t understand why Eadric was treating it like it was his problem. So let them have their space. Whatever!

He placed his wand back in his pocket, and leaned against a tree and glanced around the forest, not bothering to glance in the direction of his cousins. They wanted their space and he’d give it to them. It was a few minutes before Eadric finally made his way toward him. He watched as Eadric held up a hand and Theo raised a slight brow, wondering if Eadric would come and start what he’d wanted to before. He stepped up to face his cousin, his face void of emotion. Eadric’s voice was low, but the treat was there, and Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly at him. Like Theo was some kind of child and Eadric was some kind of adult, telling him what he’d done wrong. Theo rolled his eyes slightly before deciding it was his turn to speak. If Eadric was allowed to come over here and demean him, acting like he was so much better, so much more knowing than Theo was than Theo was allowed to defend himself.

”I don’t think her condition is a joke, Eadric. I’m well-aware that it’s her life and I’m sure it’s not easy to deal with. But don’t you stand there and trivialize my problems or my life, Eadric. Don’t act like you’re the only ones who have to deal with problems. In case you’ve forgotten I watched my bloody father murder my mother. I never claimed my problem with Vivian and Daphne to be a bigger deal than Lyra’s condition, but I’m allowed to lose sleep over the only girl that’s ever meant something to me. I’d say you’d understand that , but you wouldn’t because the only girl you’re ever around is Lyra,” he paused, inhaling as he watched Lyra started her approach. ” I’m sorry for getting you so on edge, but I just don’t understand why, if Lyra doesn’t have a problem with something, you do.”

He left it at that as Lyra finally reached them and asked if everything was okay. Theo shrugged slightly before looking away from Eadric toward Lyra.

”Okay,” he responded to her, though he wasn’t sure whether she was speaking to him or Eadric, not that it mattered, really.

[LYRA ALVAH AVERY]

Lyra didn't believe Theo for one second when he said that everything was okay. His voice was still very terse, and Eadric expression was still stormy. Whatever Theo had just finished saying, Eadric didn't like it. But of course, Lyra thought, annoyed, that was for the men to discuss, not for a delicate little girl like her. Lyra didn't like being left out of the loop like that, or treated like she couldn't handle anything. Eadric was normally good about that. Yes, he protected her, but he didn't try to control her. He protected her because he wanted to, because he wanted to make things easier for her, not because he thought that she couldn't handle it on her own. It was just that he didn't want her to.

But clearly whatever Eadric had said to Theo, he hadn't wanted Lyra to hear. She didn't know what it was, but she'd ask him later. She was sure he'd get it out of him, or some version anyway. She wouldn't just forget about it.

"Right, well..." Lyra said, slightly annoyed. She wished that the two of them could just get along. They had been doing well, up until now. It was hard enough with the rest of the school giving her rubbish all the time. She thought that her own family could at least keep it together.

All of the stress was starting to get to Lyra, and this close to the full moon that was never a good thing. The disease (or whatever it was) that flowed in her blood and attacked her body every month could leave her feeling weak and shaky. She suddenly felt very light headed, and put a hand to her head. She leaned against a tree for support, feeling dizzy. She hated moments like this, moments when being a Werewolf affected her at times other than the full moon.

Eadric was immediately by her side holding her elbow and asking if she was okay. She nodded, worrying that her voice would shake if she tried to speak, and then Eadric might even insist on the hospital wing. It would pass, it always did.

[EADRIC JAMES AVERY]

Eadric scowled as Theo replied, still going on about his own problems. Yes he knew that Theo had had a tough time. Seeing your mother killed, in fact having your mother killed at all, must have been horrible. Eadric had some taste of that, since his father had been killed in the battle four months ago. But the difference was that Theo's mother didn't keep on getting killed every month. Theo could go on and live a normal life. He didn't have to endure intolerable pain every month, he wasn't a social outcast, he wouldn't find it close to impossible to get a job. And yes, his father was a nasty piece of work, but at least Theo could come here to Hogwarts and get away with him.

And when Theo mentioned his girl troubles again, well that really pissed Eadric off. Theo just didn't get it, and it seemed that he never would. He wasn't asking for Theo to throw aside all of his problems, to think that his own life was perfect and never complain again, but he could at least be more understanding, and more sensitive, and above all understand why Eadric had to be there for Lyra. Because long after Theo's girl problems had passed, long after his father was gone or dead or whatever, when he had his normal life, Lyra would still be a Werewolf.

Eadric could feel the tension between their little family, and felt bad for Lyra as she tried to smooth things over. But he just couldn't act happy to be around Theo right now. He looked at Lyra, and what he saw made him rush towards her.

Lyra had her hand to her head, and seemed to be leaning against the tree for support. He went straight to her side, and grabbed her elbow to hold her up. "Lyra?" he said, worried "Are you okay?" He knew, of course, that she wasn't okay. But he hoped that she would at least tell him if it was dangerously bad. This had happened before, and it usually got better quickly enough, but if not then Eadric would take her to the hospital wing. He shot Theo a look, as though to say that this was, at least partly, his fault.

[THEODORE JACOB NOTT]

Lyra seemed annoyed with his attempt to brush all that had happened assigned. The air was still thick with tension, and Theo couldn’t ignore it, but he could try and pushed past it, which he was trying to do. He didn’t want Lyra to be annoyed, but Eadric couldn’t just go walking around like he was speaking for Lyra. Lyra was her own person and she could speak for herself. It wasn’t long before Lyra was leaning against a tree, a hand on her head. Theo’s brows knitted together in slight worry as Eadric moved to her side. He asked if she was alright, probably out of courtesy. She obviously wasn’t alright, but the twins seemed to have experienced this before.

Still, the look Eadric shot Theo was unnecessary, and this time he didn’t feel anger toward his cousin he felt guilt. He knew part of this was his fault. Part of it was Eadric’s fault as well, but this wasn’t the time to place blame, even Theo was smart enough to see that.

“Lyra, are you alright? I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to make you stressed,” he said with a frown. He moved a few steps closer to Lyra, not really sure what to do. Eadric seemed to be handling, and Lyra seemed to be persistently battling whatever it was that was ailing her.