It's all rubbish anyway

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra had done something today that she had never done before in her life. She had ordered a Daily Prophet and had it delivered with the mail this morning. In fact, she had signed up for a subscription with her allowance, so that she would receive every . Her mum's generally opinion was that the paper was rubbish. Lyra had never seen her mother actually read the news. It wasn't delivered to their house, and the Gryffindor girl suspected that it was delivered to her mum's shop instead which was something that had started after James disappeared. Lyra suspected it was to keep Link, Jemma, and herself in the dark. Her mother had always been very careful with the information she considered alarming or unsettling. It was the young girl's curiosity that had her listening on the other side of the door as her mum talked on the phone or talked to Carter. How else would she know anything? Kiera certainly wouldn't tell her. Maybe Carter would, but not if her mother asked him not too. He always took Kiera's side in a disagreement.

So Lyra had taken it upon herself to order a copy of the newspaper. She sat with it still folded in her hands on a couch in the student lounge, trying to decide if she wanted to open it. Even if it was all rubbish, shouldn't Lyra be informed of what was going on in the wizarding community? She knew she was likely to see articles about people she loved, and they might not be kind articles. Her mother had talked about a gossip writer, Cynthia Vandervoort, that was quite hateful in the past. Lyra didn't even know if she still published stories. Surely it was better to know what the paper said. The Gryffindor knew better than to believe every thing that it reported. She traced a finger along the edge, still not able to bring herself to open it.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus was feeling rather lonely this particular day, and so the urges to wander came in. Now usually he'd venture outside, but he opted to switch things up and see if he could nap out anymore of the enormous and mysterious castle. He'd already visited the dungeons for Potions class, bedded in the towers, and had seen most of the floors. One he had yet to visit, was the fourth.

With his hands in his pockets, teeth pulling at his lip ring, he saw the Student Lounge. He doubted this room would hold anything of interest, but then again, he couldn't leave without at least taking a peek. Sticking his head through the doorway, his ice-blue eyes widened as he spotted the fair red locks Lyra Potter.

No way was Silus ready to face her after what had happened in the library, contrary to his usually brazen attitude, he ducked his head out and hoped she hadn't noticed him.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra was about to give into the urge to look at the Dily Prophet in her hands when the sound of footsteps startled her. Her concentration had been so intense on her own thoughts that she hadn't realized she had already undone the string around the paper. When Lyra turned to see who had entered the room, she recognized a familiar figure retreating from the room. He was leaving just as quickly as he had entered, and the Gryffindor girl wondered why. She still didn't understand why he had hit Felix the other day, and she hadn't seen him since. Lyra wondered if he was cross with her for scolding him. She knew she should still be cross with him for hitting Felix, but she wasn't. Not really. Boys would be boys, and apparently boys liked to fight. That had been her brother's words of wisdom at least.

"Silus?" Lyra questioned outloud. Maybe she was wrong, and it wasn't the Ravenclaw boy she knew. Either way he was almost out of the room. He could ignore her if he still wished to avoid her. It wouldn't be difficult to just keep on walking.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus grimaced as he heard her call out his name. He knew he wouldn't be able to slip away successfully, he had only hoped. Now, he stood there debating whether to make a run for it, or to turn and face her. He knew he should just keep walking. The fact that her voice hadn't an angry one in it completely by-passed him, and he kept grimacing. That was obviously the best option for him, to ignore her, he thought. But his mind wasn't in control of his body, and he found himself standing in the doorway of the Student Lounge, leaning against the frame for support. Hell, he'd need all of that he could get.

The instant he saw her bright green eyes, his lips began to curve into a smile on their own, but he compressed them together. And though he'd never in a million years agree to it, the looks in his eyes was rather sheepish. It quickly vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, though, and he looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"Hey, Lyra." He said softly.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra watched as he leaned against the door frame. He seemed to be hesitating, and she wasn't sure what he was waiting for exactly. The Gryffindor girl hadn't been sure that he would speak to her until he turned around to face her, still standing across the room. She smiled at him softly as she saw a flicker of emotion flash across his face before disappearing. Silus was good at hiding his feelings on his face where she always felt as if she was an open book. Again, Lyra remembered that he always seemed to be in a much better mood when it was just the two of them talking. She couldn't imagine why that was. Maybe he just didn't get along with others?

"Not upset with me, are you?" the brunette asked, looking at Silus with a playful look on her face and hoping the answer was no. Lyra's temper had already cooled by the day after the incident. She didn't hold grudges. Not for long. "Want to sit with me?" she asked, patting the sofa cushion next to her. The Prophet lay in her lap, almost forgotten about for the moment.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus could not dare to believe it to be true. Was she not angry with him? He let out a quiet sigh of relief and gave her a wry smile. "Not that I know of. Should I be?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, and trying to act like he had been himself the whole time.

Silus's heart seemed to beat a little quicker as she invited him to seat beside her. The Student Lounge seemed to be empty except for the two of them Silus noticed, pleased. Maybe, just this once he'd be able to talk to Lyra without either sending someone off to the Hospital wing, or ending up there himself. His lips curved into a genuine smile, and he lowered himself onto the sofa right beside her, and folded his arms over his knees. "Reading something?" He asked, a bit curious as the paper in her lap didn't seem familiar. But then again, when was the last time he'd opened one of those up? Maybe once when he was 9, and then he had crumpled it up and tossed it about the streets for the alley cats to sniff.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra grinned and shook her head. "Absolutely not." she answered confidently. Really, he shouldn't have been upset with her as she really hadn't done anything but be bossy. If he was going to get upset with her every time she got bossy, they wouldn't likely be friends for very long. Stubbornness and bossiness were the Gryffindor girl's worst character flaws. She watched him as he crossed the room and sat down by her. Silus seemed to be in a pleasant mood today, and Lyra hoped that it would stay that way.

"Yes-or rather no. I bought it to read, but now that I have it I'm not sure if I want to read it." Lyra answered, feeling very conflicted. Her green eyes glanced down to her lap as Silus commented on the paper. "This is a copy of the Daily Prophet. The wizarding newspaper." she said, not sure that he knew what it was. They hadn't ever talked much about their families, and she wasn't sure if he came from a magical home or not. "Mum never wanted us reading the paper. Now that I'm here, I thought I might take the opportunity to do so. I bought a subscription." she said. It sounded odd to her ears. It wasn't a normal thing for your mum to forbid you from reading the paper.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus chuckled playfully at Lyra's answer, and felt truly lucky sitting there. Oi, she'd the lucky one.. His old self protested, but Silus knew that was barn substance.

Now Silus raised a brow in curiousity. Not being allowed to read the paper? Apparently he had that in common, although probably for an entirely different reason. Silus's mother had only forbidden it to him when he was younger to torment him, as she knew he wanted to know of things going on in the world that seemed somehow alien to him, as all he knew was the hell he lived.

He was sure Lyra's mother had her head on much more tightly, and that we're must be a good reason behind it. "What are your doubts about reading it now? You've paid the subscription." he had no clue what the Daily Prophet was, but the roll of paper Lyra had seemed far more interesting to him as her mother had restricted it.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra sighed and shrugged her shoulders. It seemed Silus really didn't have any idea who she was related to, and she counted that as a blessing. She absolutely did not want people here to be friends with her just because she had important connections in her family tree. Lyra pursed her lips, debating on whether or not she should tell him the truth. It would be so much easier if she lied. Maybe half-truths would work out better for her. Kiera had always cautioned her on being too open with people outside of the family as anyone could be listening. Lyra had made the mistake when she was in a rather foul mood the other night and now wished she hadn't.

"I guess I don't want to see harsh things about the people I love. My mum banned the paper after my dad disappeared, not that I could read when I was five years old." the Gryffindor girl admitted to the Ravenclaw boy. Lyra knew that her mother wasn't being unreasonable to ban the paper. It had caused Kiera a lot of trouble in the past, and she wanted to protect her children, just as a mother should. Still, Lyra was curious about the Daily Prophet and disobedient enough to order a subscription behind her mother's back. Of course, Link had encouraged it when she had mentioned it to him, but he was always looking for trouble. "My uncle is the Minister for Magic." she said, leaving the Potters out of it. One day, he might figure it out, or she might tell him, but Lyra wasn't ready to share that part of her family history.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus glanced down at his hands as Lyra spoke. Her words made Silus feel strange, and not in a good way. Did he truly have anyone in his life he loved? He loathed his mother, and then his father, like Lyra's apparently, had vanished. He felt sorry for her, and supposed she had that part far worse as she probably held memories of him. Silus had nothing of his dad. Only knew he hadn't stayed around for long at all, as he was lead to believe he'd been gone before his son was even born. So there was no attachment there either. Sure Silus had his questions, but it wasn't something he dwelt on.

Right here, sitting on some sofa in the Student Lounge of Hogwarts beside Lyra Potter, he realized not only had his life been callous and unfair, but so had many others. Only did Lyra's voice shake him out of his thoughts. "Wow. He a cool guy?" Silus asked lightly. He had only a vague idea of the Ministry of Magic. That they were like the government for the wizarding world.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra looked at Silus with a sly smile. "Well naturally. He's related to me." the Gryffindor girl teased. "He's one of the best men I know." Lyra said in a more serious tone. Cameron had always cared more for his family than anything else in the world. He would gladly throw away his career if his family needed him. Lyra had overheard Cam tell Kiera that he wanted to be Minister to keep things like what happened to James from happening again.

Still, good men made enemies, and the Minister of Magic had more than most. It was impossible to make an entire country happy, no matter what he did. "But, not everyone thinks so I'm sure. I might see Cam discussed or my Aunt Cyndi or even my cousins Noah and Jake. My mother has always been a favorite topic of the paper as well." Lyra told Silus. How could she bear to read all of the negativity about her family. All of the lies or half-truths that the Prophet decided to report. "What would you do if it was your family?" She asked, wanting his opinion.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus grinned at Lyra's joke, and smiled lightly as she began to speak well of him in a more serious tone. He once again found himself intrigued by his hands when his friend told him that the paper in her lap talked Ill of her family. How could they do that? Why did they choose a family to slander in their paper? Silus couldn't see Lyra or any of her family deserving any hatred. He grimaced at these words and tensed slightly at her question. Life isn't fair. His old self reminded him in a mocking tone.

What would he do? It was between a loving family that Silus lacked, and sheer rebellion, which Silus lived for. Raising his head slightly, he looked into the Lyra's eyes, and he seemed to he see the emotion in them. Making a slight coughing noise in his throat, he gave her these words, and as lightly as he could. He was wary to say them, as he knew they betrayed his character, and he swore he'd never change, coming to Hogwarts. But this seemed more far more important at the time.

"I might chuck that paper in the trash," he said softly. Silus then made an attempt to lighten up their conversation, "And then I'd find trouble elsewhere." He said with the hint of smile on his lips, trying to revert back to his old ways.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra smiled softly at Silus's words, shaking her head at him. "There's why you are in Ravenclaw, and I'm not." she teased ever so lightly. "That's probably the more intelligent thing to do. I mean, Mum wouldn't have banned the Prophet without a reason." she said logically. Unfortunately, logically wasn't how she made most of her decisions. She was more inclined to rash, impatient decisions that followed her heart and emotions. It seemed to be something she got from her mother. In many ways, Lyra was a copy of Kiera.

The Gryffindor turned to face Silus, looking up at his face with open, trusting green eyes. "Curiosity always gets the better of me. It's better to know than not know, right?" the brunette asked. really wanting to know his thoughts and opinions. She thought he seemed guarded most of the time, but the guard came down just a little bit when he talked to her. Lyra had already heard the rumors about Silus and his attitude, but she chose not to believe them. Her first hand experience and knowledge showed that he could be kind and good when he wanted to be. Silus had never spoken to her harshly after all.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus smirked. "Truly, I still hold the opinion that I've been misorted, but don't forget, that you're very smart." He listened quietly as she talked to herself, seemingly trying to convince herself to leave the paper be. It wasn't working too well, as she soon turned to look him in the eyes.

Silus couldn't tell whether he liked or disliked the way she was looking at him. It made him feel both pleased and unnerved that she looking at him in such a trusting way. He internally groaned, he didn't want to upset her with his answer and so he thought this through, scrutinizing his options carefully. If he agreed with her and what she read upset her, not only would he have an emotional girl on his hands, which was beyond his skills, but Lyra may not trust his words anymore.

But on the other hand, he really didn't want to disagree with her. So he finally came to the conclusion, that he'd neither do neither. "It depends. He said, looking at her with kind eyes. "If you'd be affected in a negative or possitive way. Truthfully... I think, you're the only one who can choose whether to read that paper or not." he said carefully, afterwards, wondering why being around Lyra made him feel like a different person. It may have felt like that in a good way, but Silus was a bit frightened by it.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra listened to Silus as he gave her advice. She appreciated it, and the Gryffindor girl knew that he was right. She was the only one who could make that decision. She smiled as Silus spoke to her and looked at her with kindness. Lyra trusted the Ravenclaw boy though she wouldn't have been able to explain why that was the case. Again, she wondered why people spoke ill of him. Lyra patted his hand gently as a gesture of affection. "You're right. Absolutely right." she said, nodding her head.

The brunette pursed her lips, looking down at the paper. Curiosity won the internal battle raging inside her head, and she unfolded it. Her green eyes scanned the paper, looking at the various stories. The headline story was about a trial for Harley Aria, the woman who had killed the Head Auror. There was a picture of the crazy woman, and unsurprisingly a small picture of Uncle Cameron as he had been interviewed for the piece. The story wasn't about him though. "That's my uncle." she said, pointing at Cam. "He normally doesn't look so stern." she said, a bit surprised to see him without a wide grin on his face. He looked different from the uncle she had always known.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus felt a familiar warmth creep into tips of his now reddened ears, as he received a pat on the head. Truly, he was surprised they hadn't decided to show up any earlier, as they always seemed to turn that way when Lyra was around. He grinned at the gesture, and did his best to imortalize the feeling of her hand on his hair. He smirked as she opened up the paper. She 'd certainly been right earlier when she had told Silus that curiousity always bested her. He could see that clearly, and it amused him.

His playful look faded as he scanned the front page. Of course Lyra's mother wouldn't want her reading this mess. He could practically feel the gloom radiating from the words. He frowned, there had been some Head Auror -- he hadn't a clue what the hell that was -- who'd been murdered by a crazed looking witch.

He then glanced at where Lyra pointed, and saw a man with what appeared to be a rather fierce expression on his face. So that's the Minister of Magic, and her uncle. He thought, and for some reason, envisioned the man looking at him with a similar expression. "Here he's got good reason. Seems like he's got quite a hefty job." He said, still studying the picture. "You think the rest of the paper is like this?" He asked, looking a bit morose. Silus was liking this paper less and less, and it reminded him very much of home.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra looked back at her Uncle Cam's picture. She knew that he had a difficult job, running the country and all, but he looked so unfamiliar to her. She remembered an uncle that jumped off a cliff into a lake with her and dancing a waltz with her at Jemma's princess party last year. He was silly and lovable but strong and brave. That's how she saw him, but the country's vision of him must be so different based on her analysis of this picture. "Yes. I know. He's a good man though. " she said, very confident in his ability to do what was right and honest. Lyra admired her uncle for that.

"Maybe." the Gryffindor girl answered truthfully. "Reading it is the only way to find out." She said playfully as she turned to the next page. However, the rest of the paper was mild. A few other news stories. Quidditch articles and stats on the New Zealand teams. Nothing of real interest. Well, until she reached the gossip column. There was a snippet claiming her Aunt Cyndi was expecting a baby. That was untrue as far as she knew. There was a bit about a ministry official having become a werewolf. Then, Lyra saw her mum and Carter, smiling at each other while walking on the street. It looked like someone had taken their picture without their knowledge or consent. Kiera looked so tiny next to Carter, but really her mum looked tiny anytime. Not that she made the mistake of telling Kiera that. The woman was quite capable of handling herself. The gossip column claimed the pair had eloped, which was true. "That's my mum and Carter. So much for keeping it out of the papers." Lyra said, very glad that she hadn't found out her mum was married from some trashy gossip column.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus restrained himself from laughing at Lyra's playful comment. It made him feel in better spirits, and Silus was very pleased to find the rest of the paper pretty tame compared to the first page. However, he did see the snippet of Lyra's aunt, and he had to grit his teeth at that. Honestly, what was wrong with people that they'd make up some stupid rumor about someone they'd probably never even met? They skimmed over a few more pages and Lyra seemed interested in a particular photo of a kind-face woman and whom he presumed had to be her boyfriend or spouse.

Lyra informed Silus that the lady was her mother, and named the other man as Carter. After hearing her make a small remark, he figured that the two were indeed, together as he'd initially guessed. The man didn't really interest him much, but after studying Lyra's mom, he thought he saw a a decent resemblance between the two. It made him grin. He wondered if he favored his father. He must've, since Silus's mother was, no exaggeration, a hag, and thankfully, he looked nothing at all like each other. In fact, he found he'd been able to use his looks as an advantage back in the streets of home. Occasionally, some prosperous old woman would accidently stumble in the darker parts of town, and he'd lead her out with an angelic face, receiving a respectable wad of cash.

This odd memory got the wheels of his head turning again. Did Lyra think him attractive? He pondered, his brows knit slightly with contemplation.
He looked in Lyra's lively green eyes, just because he liked staring into them, and hoped that he'd find out even more about his good friend. "They look very happy." He noted, speaking of the beaming couple. He thought even if it hadn't been taken under the best of circumstances, the photo was quite a good one. It seemed to capture a certain joy.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra looked away from the moving photograph to look at Silus and caught him staring at her. She briefly wondered if she had something stuck in her teeth when Silus spoke, making her forget that he had been staring. She grinned and nodded her head. "Mmhmm. They are. It's disgusting." she said, making a face. Her mother and Carter were very much in love, and everyone around them could tell it. Carter looked at her mum with total adoration. It was as if she was the bright spot in the darkness. Lyra hoped that she would one day find someone who felt the same way about her. Someone who would look at her as if she were the only person on the planet that mattered.

Lyra knew that Carter loved Link, Jemma, and herself as if they were his own kids. He took pride in them, and he certainly got exasperated with them when they misbehaved which was often.. She had been unjustified in her mini-freak out after the family picnic last week. "It's good, you know? Mum was so sad after dad disappeared. I mean we all were, but it was worse for her. Link and I didn't really understand it at the time. We were five. Mum was pregnant with Jemma. A couple of years ago, Carter came along and things changed. Carter makes her happy, and he loves her. I'm glad he's officially part of the family now." Lyra said, meaning it. Carter got along with the rest of the family splendidly. The Gryffindor girl looked over at Silus. He hadn't told her much about himself, and yet here she was telling him all about her family, the most precious thing in her life. "What's your family like, Si?" she asked, using her nickname for him. She looked up at him eagerly, hoping he would share a part of him with her.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus supressed chuckling at Lyra's remark. It caught him off guard, and things rarely did. He did his best to look like he understood everything Lyra was saying, but it was tricky for him, as he hadn't a family, or anything similar to compare it to. It all sounded so lovely to Silus. Hearing her tell him a bit about her family, and her mother meeting Carter. He glanced once more upon the picture, and tried to imagine having parents like that. He grinned, wanting to be kind to his friend, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
He was happy for her, he truly was.

He'd remained silent as he listened to Lyra, but his both his eyebrows rose in response of being asked to tell of his family. Silus smirked, rolled his eyes, and felt very tempted to just lie about the whole thing, but though he wouldn't admit it, he felt guilty to do that. Lyra seemed to have been very genuine and honest with him about her family, and so he supposed he owed her the same. He sighed and made an attempt at a chuckle. "Ugh... Where to begin?" He grinned. "I'm nowhere as interesting as you, so I won't be hurt if you fall asleep. He said, stalling it out until he knew what he wished to say. He decided he'd try and keep it short, and if she wanted to know more, she could ask, and he'd would tell her.

"I never really knew my dad, he left before I was born, but I've got my mother, and I guess she's alright." He said the last part almost between gritted teeth. There was so much more he wanted to say. Then go ahead, you fool! His old self barked at him. He couldn't hold the negativity back, and he managed to force a small part of it out in three words. "She's a hag." He stated seriously, the expression on his face unreadable. It almost looked a bit comical, like a joke. But for Silus, he was sharing one of his deepest secrets.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra knew that part of her story probably didn't make sense to Silus as he seemed not to be from the wizarding world, not that she thought there was anything wrong with that. In fact, it was pleasant to only tell him what she wished to know instead of what he had heard around. Lyra was relieved when Silus didn't ask any follow up questions about her dad. He probably assumed the man vanished of his own free will, but that wasn't the case. Still, she was able to put off thinking about it. The brunette laughed as Silus joked that he wasn't as interesting as she was. "Being interesting is code for completely mental, right?" she joked. Lyra didn't have the perfect life. It certainly had not been like the fairytales her mother had read her as a child. "Anyways, I'm completely interested. I wouldn't dare fall asleep." she said playfully.

The brunette smiled at Silus as he began to talk. However, the smile faded slightly as the Ravenclaw boy told her about his family or seemingly lack there of. She could see the strain on his face and the grimace of his mouth and knew that he wasn't alright. Her heart ached for him, and she wanted to do something to help. At least her dad hadn't chosen to abandon her. "I'm sorry, Si." she said, hoping he wouldn't think she was pitying him because she wasn't. The Gryffindor was simply trying to share some of his pain and tension at the situation. Lyra placed her hand on Silus' as a gesture of comfort and affection. "What do you mean she's a hag?" Lyra asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of her voice.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus smirked at Lyra's first comment, and then sat there smiling contentedly at the next. How did someone like him ever come across someone like her? The thought truly bewildered the boy.

He looked into the Gryffindor's eyes at the kind words she had uttered. And he was pleasantly surprised to find she seemed to mean this genuinely, not simply pitying him as he had expected. The tips of his ears flushed red again as Lyra laid her hand on his. He grinned for a moment as she asked him what he meant when he had called his mother a hag. "If I only had a picture to show you, but I thought her face might shatter glass all in my luggage." He joked, tension still in his voice, but fading. "Not someone you'd want to meet, Lyra." He added in a more serious tone.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Lyra frowned as Silus said his mother was ugly and not someone that she would want to meet. He didn't even have a picture. This struck her as odd, and she had a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact. Lyra's room had several pictures of her family. Her own mother was just lovely, and even if she did get mad at them for misbehaving, Lyra never questioned her mother's love. Gradually, the brunette felt as if she was understanding Silus more and more. "Is she nice to you? Do you love her?" she asked, wondering what she could do to help him. How awful it would be to have a mother that didn't love you unconditionally. Her green eyes looked at him with sincere concern. "Where are you from?" she asked, wanting to hear more about his childhood. "You can tell me to shut up at any time if I make you uncomfortable." Lyra said, giving him an out. Her hand was still on his. It felt like a comfortable gesture and she had forgotten it was there entirely.

 

[Silus Hollister]

Silus noted a frown had appeared on the Gryffindor girl's face, and he hoped he hadn't upset her in anyway, or shared something that came across as offensive. It was so unlike him to care about what another person thought. And he felt genuine in a way, being here with Lyra at his side. He was aware that he was spilling things he'd never let anyone else at Hogwarts know, and for now, he didn't care, as he was most content to sit here with someone who had become what many would call a very good friend. After a moment's thought, he figured she didn't seem offended at all, and Silus was well aware that her hand was still resting on his.

As he thought of this his lips quirked, but it was brief, and if you'd blinked in that moment, it would not have been spotted. However, his content state didn't remain, as Lyra began to ask him some rather personal questions. They made him involuntarily shift in the sofa, and he found himself looking away from Lyra's bright eyes. If he had a normal life like most everyone else, he'd never be asked such questions.

He needed this, it seemed. To just talk. He'd never done so before and he knew he'd gain some kind of release by doing so. "Nice," He began, thinking of something humorous to say about it. No, nevermind. He was through of that.
"No. She really isn't, to be honest. I can't see someone defined as nice forcing their own son to sleep out on the streets at night." He said, staring at the wall with hardended eyes. He whipped his head back to face Lyra. "I know I should love the woman who gave birth to me, but she hates the fact, so I don't really see her as my mother at all. And in that case, why should I love her?" He said, wondering why he wasn't sitting there tight-lipped instead of pouring his feelings out.

His voice was strong, and his face held no true sign of sadness, but looks could be very deceiving. He smiled softly as Lyra told him he had an out. It only seemed to encourage him to open up even more-so."I come from a rather populated area. A city, except not many people know, or would desire to venture into my streets.

 

[Professor Lyra Potter]

Her green eyes studied Silus as he confessed his secrets to her. The brunette could tell that he was telling her the truth, and she was glad he didn't take her offer and tell her to shut it. He trusted her, and that made her feel pleased for some unknown reason. Lyra's heart broke for her friend as he told her about his mother. She could not imagine having a mother who was so cruel and heartless to her own child. The Gryffindor girl felt a sudden appreciation for her own mum. She knew Kiera would walk through fire for any of her children. She also knew Carter would do the same, and he wasn't even related to her by blood. Her parents were fiercely protective of those that they loved. Lyra remembered her hand was on his so she squeezed it.

The Gryffindor girl had the overwhelming urge to throw her arms around him in a hug, so she did just that. She didn't think about the fact that he might not have had many hugs in his life or be used to physical contact. Lyra had grown up surrounded by people who hugged her and told her how much they adored her. It was hard to imagine life any other way. "I'm so sorry, Si. You don't have to love her just because she's your mother." Lyra told him, thinking he couldn't love someone who treated him with so much hate. She pulled away slowly, but not going too far. "She doesn't seem to act like a mother should. Has she always been like this?" she asked, her voice full of concern. Lyra understood now why he could come off as "rough around the edges". "Do you have any other family?" she asked him.