"A New Beginning"

As they stepped out of the shop, Teddy turned to Lyra with a determined look on his face. "I'm going to help you finish this case, Lyra. We'll get to the bottom of The Synthesis and what they're doing." He squeezed her hand reassuringly, but his eyes betrayed a hint of discomfort. It wasn't that he wasn't committed to helping her, it was just that... well, Lyra wasn't exactly the most feminine person he had ever met. She was burly, with broad shoulders and a rugged complexion that made her look more like a man than a woman. It irked him, to be honest. Teddy had always been a romantic at heart, and he loved to hold and hug the people he cared about. But with Lyra, it was different. He couldn't just hug her like he would with a petite, delicate woman. It felt... awkward. Teddy pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. He hailed a carriage and they set off for Gringotts Wizarding Bank, the only place where they could find a modicum of safety and anonymity. As they rode through the streets, Lyra sat quietly beside him, her eyes fixed on the passing buildings. When they arrived at Gringotts, Teddy led Lyra to a private vault deep within the bank's labyrinthine tunnels. The vault was a small, circular room filled with a single, flickering candle and a large, stone basin in the center. Teddy gestured for Lyra to step into the basin, and she did so without hesitation. As the warm, golden water enveloped her body, Lyra's rugged features began to soften. Her skin lost its rough, weathered texture, and her eyes regained their sparkle. Teddy watched in amazement as Lyra transformed before his very eyes, her body washing away the grime and grunge of her ordeal. When the water receded, Lyra stood before him, her hair flowing like silk down her back, her skin smooth and unblemished. Teddy felt a surge of love and relief wash over him. This was the Lyra he knew and loved - the Lyra who was vulnerable, yet strong; fragile, yet resilient. He stepped forward, his hands reaching out to cradle her face. Lyra's eyes sparkled up at him, and she smiled softly. Teddy held her head in his hands, his thumbs tracing the curves of her cheeks. "You're back," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "You're back to normal." Lyra's smile deepened, and she leaned into his touch. For a moment, they just stood there, lost in each other's eyes. Then, Teddy pulled her close, holding her tightly as if he would never let her go. This time, it didn't feel awkward at all. This time, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.