Before 1996, before another hole would be ripped into Lyra's world, there was the Christmas of 1995. And it was the happiest Christmas in a long time. To be fair, she hadn't expected much when Sirius and Remus had brought her to the new headquarters of the Order and the wish to return to Grimmauld Place No. 12 was basically nonexistent. She had hated it ever since her first visit at thirteen years old. It still felt cold and unwelcoming but with Molly Weasley inside it had earned a motherly touch. Something Walburga Black had never been capable of.

Molly greeted Lyra with a warm hug and scolded both Sirius and Remus for not acting like true gentlemen as they hadn't immediately offered to take her traveling coat as soon as they had entered the house. "It's lovely to see you again, my dear.", Molly said and Lyra smiled. "How are the kids?", she asked while Molly shooed Sirius to get some tea. "Oh they are a delight and a pain in the rear but I love them more than anything else.", the red-haired witch explained, and for a brief moment, Lyra wondered if she herself would have been a good mother.

She glanced over to Sirius who poured her a cup of tea and smiled. No, absolutely not. "I'm glad you're here sweetie. Someone wouldn't stop talking about you, it was getting a little annoying.", Molly snickered and Sirius, blushing hard, returned to the kitchen to get some milk and sugar. "It's good to be back, even if the circumstances aren't.", Lyra said and Molly sighed. "I really hoped there wouldn't be another war but it feels the same as back then. People vanish, the ministry is oblivious and our poor children..." She reached across the table, grabbing Lyra's hand. "It's horrible."

Lyra looked away. She wasn't ready for another fight. She had been fighting for most of her life and she was tired. After losing so much all that Lyra wanted was a little bit of peace and quiet. She owed Dumbledore nothing and if it had been only him she would've stayed in her little house by the beach. But in the end, there was something she was willing to risk her life for, a reason. Actually, three reasons. Sirius, massive idiot, and love of her life. Remus, her best friend, and the most loyal and kind person to ever exist. And...

The front door opened and voices flooded the house, dwelling towards the dining room. Lyra leaned back a bit to get a glimpse of the newly arrived people and for a second her heart stopped. Sirius noticed, stepping next to her and gently putting a hand on her shoulder. "I know...", Remus whispered. "He looks exactly like James." Lyra nodded, unable to say something. Remus was right. Harry was basically a younger version of his father at this point. The black messy hair, the round glasses, even his smile. Lyra felt her heart wince in pain.

She remembered holding Harry when he was just a baby. Small and fragile and suddenly alone. And now he was all grown up. Lyra gulped, fighting back the tears. Sirius and Remus had told her about everything that had happened since that night in Godric's Hollow and despite all the bad things that Harry had to endure he was friendly, humble, benevolent, and on top of that a hella talented wizard. Wherever Lily and James were now...Lyra hoped that they were proud of their little boy.

"Sirius." Harry stepped into the dining room, hugging his godfather who ruffled through his black hair and then turned towards Remus. Molly also had her go at him and Lyra realized that Harry...had a family. He wasn't alone. He had friends, he had Remus and Sirius and Molly who treated him like her own son. He was surrounded by people who loved him, people who cared for him. She had been right. No matter what happened, Harry Potter would never be alone and he would never be unloved.

"Harry, I want you to meet someone.", Sirius said, his hand returning to Lyra's shoulder and she needed a moment to understand that he was talking about her. Lyra cleared her throat and stood up, hoping that her eyes didn't look too red. "This is Lyra Avery, my fiance, and your godmother." Sirius said this without even thinking twice and Lyra was a little bit surprised. She didn't expect to be introduced like this but well, Sirius never did things halfheartedly. It was always all or nothing.

"Your...fiance?", Harry sounded confused, his eyes scurried over to Remus and Lyra understood. "Ah, I see. You didn't tell him about our special relationship, did you?" "I uhm...I wanted to but I...the timing was never right.", Sirius stammered ashamed and Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Timing? You invented that, you are a freaking drama queen and you never got around to tell Harry that you have two lovers?" "Eh...sorry?" Sirius shrugged in a helpless way and Remus rolled his eyes. Simply unbelievable. Harry giggled.

"You act like you've been married for years." "Well it definitely feels like that.", Lyra said and smiled. "My God, you really look so much like James. Except for your eyes." "I know, mom's eyes.", Harry replied and Lyra couldn't take it any longer. She pulled Harry into her arms and he hugged her back as if he had known her for all his life. A few tears got spilled and Harry let out a quiet sigh. "I would've raised you myself if Dumbledore would've let me.", Lyra mumbled and slowly let go of Harry.

"Really?", he asked, looking at Sirius and Remus. "Of course, I was there, you know? That night, fourteen years ago. I held you in my arms and I wanted to keep you but Dumbledore said it would be best for you if you grew up without any magic around you.", Lyra explained. "Complete nonsense, if you ask me.", she added quickly and Harry grinned. "Sirius said when all of this is over...we can all live together." "That's a lovely idea, Harry.", Lyra agreed. "Although I must warn you, your godfather has a habit of taking explicitly long showers so you gotta be fast if you want some warm water in the mornings."

"Oi, you were the one always leaving your clothes everywhere. And when you couldn't find them you always took mine.", Sirius snapped and Lyra turned around. "You never complained when I wore your shirts. In fact, I clearly remember that one time when..." "Ahhh stop, stop it you two.", Remus hastily interrupted, having turned an adorable shade of pink because the said incident had ended with the three of them in bed. "I don't think Harry's supposed to hear that. Besides, I think it's time for dinner, right Molly?"

Sirius laughed. "Oh Moony, flushing because of a memory, seriously? How old are you, fifteen?" "Shut up Padfoot, you know how I am.", Remus spat and Lyra stroked his cheek. "Hm, our sensitive little wolf." The blush on Remus' face immediately intensified and he fled the dining room, claiming he was going to help Molly in the kitchen. Harry snorted. "I've never seen him like this before." "Oh he was always like that around us.", Lyra said, leaning against Sirius who placed a kiss on her head.

"Could you...tell me about it?", Harry asked reluctantly. "About what?", Lyra asked. "About you and your time in Hogwarts. You were one of them, right? A marauder?" Harry's eyes twinkled with anticipation and Lyra's heart jumped. It had been some time since someone last called her a marauder but it felt good. It reminded her of better and easier times. "Yeah, I was. You saw the map, right? I bet you already know which one I am." Harry bit his lip, thinking for a moment, and then... "Smirks, that's you."

"Yep, took a while to settle on this one. Not as long as with your dad though.", Lyra said and Sirius grinned. "I used all of Santa's nine reindeer names, each one for a week. God, he was so pissed at me." "I think he hated Vixen the most.", Lyra remembered and Harry laughed, his glasses slightly slipping down his nose. "Oh but James got his revenge, he jinxed Sirius.", Lyra tittered and Sirius sighed dramatically. "I could only bark for two days straight until Remus had figured out the counter-jinx. It was terrible." "I thought it was pretty funny.", Lyra snorted.

"Oh of course you did.", Sirius said grimly, pinching her sides. Lyra pinched him back and Harry looked at them with pure joy. "Okay, that's enough. Get the others and sit down. It's time for dinner.", proclaimed Molly, emerging from the kitchen, followed by Remus whose face was back to its normal color. Lyra leaned into Sirius' chest, his arms naturally wrapping around her, and for the first time since what had felt like an eternity, Lyra allowed herself to be truly happy.

The Christmas dinner itself was amazing, Molly was a genius when it came to cooking and after living off of stews, blend soups and dry bread for years the goose tasted like a literal piece of heaven. After that, it was time for presents and Lyra felt a tiny twinge of guilt as she realized that she didn't buy anything for her boys. But neither of them held it against her as Sirius and Remus thought her return was the greatest gift at all and Harry was just happy to have earned one more family member.

"Alright, you children go to bed, okay? I'll clean up.", Molly said when it was half-past ten. "I'll help you.", Remus offered but Molly raised her hand and shook her head. "No need, dear. I think you've got something way more important to do." Remus frowned, then glanced at Sirius and Lyra and smiled. Molly was right. They had the holidays waiting for them, two whole weeks and so much to catch up on. "Thanks, Molly, I..." But Remus didn't get to finish, Sirius had grabbed his wrist, pulling him and Lyra upstairs.

In the back of her mind, Lyra knew which room Sirius was heading to and a smile crossed her face. When the door locked behind them and Sirius cast a quick silencing charm, Remus didn't even have time to admire Sirius' old bedroom whose walls were plastered with posters of 70s rock bands. He was pushed towards the bed, sinking deep into the silky sheets, followed by Lyra, her black curls spreading across the smooth fabric like a gush of darkness.

"So pretty...", Sirius breathed as he leaned over them, kissing every inch of skin he could reach. Heat started to bubble beneath Lyra's flesh, a familiar tingling sensation spreading through her limbs. A moan escaped her as Sirius' lips graced her neck, while his hands were busy working their magic between Remus' legs. She decided not to waste another second and buried her hands in Sirius' hair, slightly tugging at it, drawing a lovely noise from his mouth.

"You still like it when I do that, hm?", she whispered, voice heavy with desire. Sirius grinned, his eyes were practically overflowing with love and Remus sat up, positioning himself behind him. "Such a good boy..." He placed a kiss behind Sirius' earlobe, making him shudder. Lyra smiled, skillful fingers unbuttoning Sirius' vest. In a matter of minutes, every piece of garment lay on the floor forgotten and the air got filled with sweet whispers and the promise of pleasure.

It is like dancing, Lyra thought. Once you knew the steps you never forgot them. Hands knew what they had to do, lips remembered where they had to be. And dear Merlin, Sirius had remembered every spot and place where she was the most sensitive and Lyra was thankful for the silencing charm. Not least because Sirius had never been the type to remain quiet when she and Remus took control. He would never admit it but it had a very strong effect on him when Lyra praised him while straddling his hips as Remus pinned him in place, whispering naughty commands into his ear.

They had to go three rounds until finally, satisfaction settled into their bodies followed by sleepiness. "Good Godric, that was..." "Don't ruin it, Padfoot.", Remus huffed who was sprawled over Sirius' left body half, his curls sticking to his sweaty forehead. "Oi, I wasn't gonna ruin it, Moony. I was going to say that..." "Shush now, my love.", Lyra interrupted again and pressed a finger over Sirius' parted lips. "Just hold me." She drew up her legs and nestled her head into the hollow between Sirius' jaw and shoulder.

"Fine, looks like you're not ready for my fantastic 'after sex poetry', you peasants.", Sirius grumbled and Lyra slapped his chest. "Shut your mouth, Black." Sirius rolled his eyes but pulled Lyra closer while Remus slung his left arm around Sirius' waist. Everything just fell in place and after Sirius had whispered a quiet 'I love you' he closed his eyes and sleep came over him, enveloping him in his mellow wings, carrying him away to even more delightful dreams.