Lyra Belacqua, now 15, arrived at Saint Sophia College with Pantalaimon, her unsettled dæmon, perched anxiously on her shoulder. The grand halls of the college were intimidating, but she was determined to make a fresh start.
Entering her dormitory, she found her roommate, Victoria Fairchild, lounging on her bed, her eagle dæmon preening beside her.
"You're Lyra, right?" Victoria's tone was laced with disdain. "The girl with the unsettled dæmon?"
Pan shifted into a lynx, his fur bristling. Lyra took a deep breath. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"
"Victoria Fairchild," she replied, eyes narrowing. "Most people's dæmons settle by our age. What's wrong with yours?"
"Nothing's wrong," Lyra said, her voice steady. "Pan's just... unique."
Victoria smirked. "If you say so."
Chapter 2: The Juice Incident
Weeks passed, and the taunting intensified. Victoria, along with her friends Charlotte Hensley and Imogen Crane, never missed an opportunity to mock Lyra.
One afternoon, Victoria approached Lyra in the common room, holding out a bottle of amber-colored liquid.
"Here," Victoria said, feigning kindness. "Fresh apple juice. Thought you might like some."
Pan, now a meerkat, eyed the bottle warily. "Lyra, be careful," he murmured.
Lyra hesitated. "Why the sudden generosity?"
Victoria shrugged. "Consider it a peace offering."
Taking a cautious sip, Lyra immediately felt her throat constrict. "Pan... something's wrong," she gasped, dropping the bottle.
Victoria's smirk widened. "Oh dear, didn't I mention? It's mango juice with apple flavoring and yellow dye. You aren't allergic, are you?"
Lyra collapsed, struggling to breathe. Pan cried out, "Help! Someone, please!"
Chapter 3: Fever and Fury
After receiving treatment for the allergic reaction, Lyra remained bedridden with a persistent fever. Pan, in the form of a cat, lay beside her.
"Why are they doing this to me, Pan?" Lyra whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Because you're different," Pan replied softly. "But we'll get through this."
Outside, Victoria's voice echoed. "She can't even handle a bit of juice. Pathetic."
One evening, still weak from her illness, Lyra returned to her room to find Victoria waiting.
"You don't belong here, Silvertongue," Victoria sneered, using Lyra's nickname mockingly.
Before Lyra could react, Victoria shoved her against the wall, her eagle dæmon blocking Pan's approach.
"Leave me alone!" Lyra cried, struggling.
"Make me," Victoria hissed, tightening her grip.
Pan, now a tiger, growled fiercely. "Let her go!"
In desperation, Lyra reached into her pocket and grasped a small piece of cloud-pine—a gift from Serafina Pekkala. Focusing her thoughts, she silently called out for help.
Moments later, a rush of cold air filled the room as Serafina Pekkala appeared, her owl dæmon Kaisa perched beside her.
"Release her," Serafina commanded, her voice icy.
Victoria stepped back, fear evident in her eyes. "I... I didn't mean—"
"Enough," Serafina interrupted. Turning to Lyra, she said gently, "You're safe now."
Lyra's voice trembled. "Thank you, Serafina. I couldn't stay here any longer."
Pan nuzzled her cheek. "We'll be okay now."
A familiar voice interrupted. "Lyra?"
She turned to see Will standing in the doorway, his dæmon Kirjava by his side.
"Will!" Lyra exclaimed, tears of relief streaming down her face.
Will rushed to her side, taking her hand. "I came as soon as I heard. I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner."
Lyra shook her head. "You're here now. That's all that matters."
Serafina stood. "I'll leave you two to catch up. There's much to discuss."
As she left, another figure entered the room—a woman with a warm smile and a gentle demeanor.
"Mary!" Lyra exclaimed, recognizing her former teacher from Jordan College.
Mary Malone approached, her cat dæmon by her side. "Lyra, I'm so glad you're safe."
Lyra smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn't experienced in months. "Thank you, Mary. I don't know what I would've done without all of you."
Mary nodded. "We're here for you, Lyra. Always."
Will squeezed Lyra's hand. "We'll face whatever comes next together."
Lyra nodded, a sense of hope rekindled. "Together."
