August 16th, 1994

Hi Fred,

I don't know if that'll get to you before the World Cup, but I hope it does! It's exciting that your dad managed to get tickets. I've heard they're extremely hard to come by this year. It's sure to be quite the match isn't it, Ireland versus Bulgaria. Isn't Viktor Krum one of the best Seekers of the century?

Andrew (the Auror) loves boasting about how if he hadn't gotten top marks in Defense Against The Dark Arts, he would have become a professional Quidditch player. (I always called him out on it because he couldn't fly in a straight line if someone drew it out in the air for him to follow).

Summer's been… Dreadful. And that's giving it some credit. I thought that over July I'd be able to make some friends here, but everyone seems to hate me. The 'weird' girl who's only here for summer. I don't blame them really.

Your letters though, make it sound like you're having a wonderful time! The idea of hexing the toffees is Ravenclaw worthy. There are a few girls here who I'd love to share those with.

Merlin's- I have to go, being called for supper and I want to have Darin get this to you before nightfall.

If I don't talk to you before then, have fun at the World Cup! Tell me everything.

Can't wait to see you in September-

- A

August 19th, 1994

Fred-

I only just heard about the game. Justin sent me the Daily Prophet. Are you ok?

- A

August 22nd, 1994

What are the odds you see this? I asked Justin and Hannah to keep me updated in case the Daily Prophet posts something. If you do see this, could you send me a letter back letting me know you're safe?

I hope you answer this.

I really do.

Merlin, my hands are shaking so hard.

- A

August 23rd, 1994

Lyna,

I'm alright. So's everyone else. We got out in time.

Sorry I haven't written, Didn't mean to worry you- been a bit busy with the game and getting ready for classes. Sorry again. George is staring over my shoulder thinking I'm off my rocker. I'll write more when I have space to think (talking about you Georgie boy).

See you in a week and a bit,

Fred

P.S.

Enclosed are some of the toffees we talked about. Stick it to those girls!

September 1st, 1994

"Who's this impartial judge who's going to decide who the champions are?"

"Dunno," Fred shrugs as he follows Harry from the Great Hall, "but it's them we'll have to fool. I reckon a few drops of an aging po-"

"Fred Weasley!"

Fred looks up at the familiar voice, winking at Hermione. "Famous already, you see? Don't even need a stupid tournament."

"Famous? Right. More like a conventional pain in the ass." Alyna crosses her arms at the bottom of the grand staircase. "First you ignore my letters, then you can't even stop by Hufflepuff table to let me know you're alive and well. Merlin's beard, you're insufferable."

George and Ron stifle their laughs, Harry looking just as shocked as Hermione. Fred avoids a group of third-year Ravenclaws as he makes his way down the steps. He blows them a kiss. The leader of the group flushes and giggles. Alyna rolls her eyes.

"Lyna, Lyna, Lyna. Is that what you think of me? I'm wounded," Fred pretends to faint, a hand clutched over his heart. "George, Harry, you may have to find a new beater for the team. I've been impaled by these cruel words."

"You're-."

"Devilishly handsome?" He grins wider. "Thank you for noticing."

"I was going to say a pompous jerk." She steps closer, looking up at him. Her words come quieter now, vulnerable. "Dumbledore and Sprout set me up in a muggle orphanage for the summer. I get sent a newspaper saying there was a Death Eater attack at an event one of my closest friends was at. I have no way besides a fucking owl to find out more. And then that same friend," Alyna jabs Fred in the chest hard. "Stops responding to my letters. I- I thought you were injured, Fred, or- or dead. I thought you were dead, and all you do is send me a half-arsed letter letting me know that you're not dead, you only couldn't respond. Are you that thick?"

The sight of tears glistening in Alyna's eyes is enough to kill the retort rising on his lips. Fred spreads his arms wide, dread rising in his chest, "Lyna, I-"

"No, I don't want-want your apologies. I was terrified, Fred. I was so, so worried, so you can keep the apologies," she pushes past him, wiping at her eyes. "Don't do something like that again."

Fred drops his hands, watching her disappear down the corridor. The Great Hall is nearly empty of students at this hour, most have made their way to their respective common rooms already, the allure of soft sheets and warm beds stronger than any summoning spell. He looks up at George and the others. A torch gutters in the breeze. "That went well, didn't it?"

"Did you really not write to her and let her know we were safe?" Hermione endears as they start up the stairs, stepping into a hidden corridor behind a tapestry.

George slings an arm around his twin's shoulders, words teasing, "Don't be so put down. At least she had the courtesy to call you out after the feast. Could've been worse. She could've sent you a Howler."

"Yeah," Ron agrees, "She'll come 'round. She seems like the forgivable type."

"Of course she's the forgivable type, she's a Hufflepuff."

Fred elbows George, using less force than he usually would as they jump a trick stair. "Shut it, both of you."

"Come off it. Why do you care so much? You're not really the type to-" Ginny pauses. She rolls her eyes at the portraits who pretend to not listen in on the conversation. "Do you like her?"

All eyes land on Fred.

Fred stops and groans, tilting his head back. "You've got to be joking. We're friends Gin, that's all. Keep it up and you'll be taken to write fortunes for the Daily Prophet."

"Whatever you say, Freddy," George says with a grin. "Whatever you say."

The teasing and prodding continues all the way to the common room. Flames crackle welcomingly in the hearth, excited voices drifting down from the dormitories. A few students lounge on the couches in front of the fire. Gold and crimson tapestries hang on the walls, the Gryffindor Lion watching them all from above.

The group separates, each heading up to their own dorms and George grabs Fred's arm as they're about to enter their own. "You do like her, don't you?"

Fred looks up at his twin, running a hand through his hair, and takes a deep breath. He nods slowly. "Yeah George. Think I do."

What Fred doesn't say to George's satisfied grin, the jokes and teasing he knows will make an appearance from now on, is that he doesn't think. He knows.

By the following week, he knows Alyna is fully angry with him due to her constantly going out of her way to avoid him. But he has a plan.

With the small succulent, ordered by owl from Hogsmeade, in hand, Fred casually leans beside the door to the greenhouse, listening to Professor Sprout drone on about the magical qualities of some… plant. Herbology was interesting enough, as long as Fred had nothing else on his mind. Which was rarely ever the case.

Minutes pass, ticking by slowly and Fred nearly jumps when the door to the greenhouse bangs open. "Alyna- Lyna, hey," he grabs her by the wrist and pulls her from the throng of students. They end up chest to chest. Fred's heart pounds in his chest. He's surprised Alyna can't hear it. "Hi."

"What are you doing here?" She whispers harshly and takes a hurried step back, away from him. From his… chest. A blush forms high in her cheeks.

He holds out the cactus to her, a crooked smile playing. "Name's Managed. It's for you."

"Managed?"

"Yeah. Mine's Mischief, yours is Managed, together it's…"

"Mischief Managed." She tilts her head thoughtfully but doesn't take the plant. "Clever. Think of that all by yourself, did you? Good for you. I have Transfiguration next, so if you'll excuse-"

"Hey. Hey," he falls into step beside her as she walks up the path to the castle and sighs at the cactus, "I was a jerk, alright? I didn't answer your letters and I made you worry. I- I'm sorry. Really. Cross my heart."

Alyna stops. A muscle in her jaw ticks, her fingers tighten into a fist as the urge to punch him rises. "You're sorry."

"Yeah, I am. I should've written and I should've been a better friend to you." He tentatively holds out the cactus again, "will you accept Managed the Cactus as an offering of peace?"

She unclenches her hand and takes the cactus, "I forgive you. Obviously."

"Thank Merlin," Fred grins and pulls her into a hug. "Hi, Lyna."

Alyna hugs him back, mindful of her new plant, and can't stop the smile from spreading. "Hi, Fred."

October 31st, 1994

"Did you really think Professor Dumbledore would be fooled by an aging potion?" Alyna perches herself at the end of Fred's bed in the Hospital Wing. She tugs at the cuff of her sleeve, this room, the beds bringing back memories of things she'd rather forget. "He's one of the most brilliant wizards alive."

"Insult to our intelligence is what he is," George swings himself up, running his fingers through his beard. "'least we're not the only ones it happened to. Got Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff over there."

"You know what Georgie, it suits you. Don't girls love a little grey in the hair Lyna?" Fred teases from his bed, unwrapping a chocolate frog carefully.

Alyna shakes her head and looks over to where the other two students are lying. "Some. Why, are you planning on keeping it?"

"Mayyyyybe-"

"Sure you are," George scoffs, stealing the chocolate from his brother. "See, it's the magic of the Hospital Wing. Doesn't matter why you're in here, people will always send you candy."

"Even if sometimes, the amount of candy is completely absurd." Madame Pomfrey comes by their beds, tutting softly, "Miss Wright if I could excuse you back to your classes. I would like to begin working on Mr. and Mr. Weasley's beards."

"Right. Yeah, of course," Alyna slides from the end of the bed and smiles, "I'll swing by a little later if you're both still here. Have fun."

The twins wave their goodbyes. Madame Pomfrey fixes them both with stares that are hard as ice. "You two be careful with that girl's heart, understand? Too many people have taken advantage of it already. Broken bones are easy to fix, but a broken heart? Much harder."

Fred watches the closed doors quietly, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Madame Pomfrey motions for him to sit up. "That you boys are good for her. You mean something to her, which means that you can wind up hurting her. Do not. We're all fragile, some more than most."

"Wouldn't dream of hurting her," George shakes his head and Fred agrees. "Yeah, we'd never do anything to hurt her."

"Good." Madame Pomfrey nods curtly. "Now stay still both of you, unless you'd like to lose your eyebrows as well."

November 3rd, 1994

Mum and Dad wanted to send this as a Howler. I know how those are and managed to get the idea nixed. You're welcome for that, by the way. Better that the entire school doesn't know what a freak you are. Hufflepuff in a Gryffindor family. Waste of parchment is what I think.

Don't think that because a Hufflepuff is Hogwarts's champion in the Triwizard Tournament we'll take you back. You stopped being a part of this family the moment you were sorted into that house.

Mary is excited about her first year, starting in September. I'm sure she won't disappoint.

Goodbye,

Andrew

Numbness wraps in a tight noose around Alyna, shoving itself down her throat. It reaches her heart, spreading further through her body with every breath until it reaches every nerve ending. Every cell, bit of skin, and bone.

The tears that would have made an appearance once don't come. Trapped in the constant void inside her mind. Her heart. She tightens her grip on the letter and it crumples, tearing under her fingers.

Waste of parchment is what I think.

Her eyes land on one of the framed photographs beside her bed. The oldest, most yellowed with age, is one of her and Andrew at the last Christmas they had together the year before Hogwarts. Both of them wore ugly sweaters he had bought in a muggle shop, laughing at the entire thing.

Alyna picks up the photograph. Her hands are shaking, whole body trembling and she throws it hard as she can across the room.

It hits the wall, glass shattering.

A sound escapes her, and she crumples to her knees, hands sliding into her hair. She stares at the spot on the wall where it hit, wishing she could throw herself against it too. Break herself a little bit more. Then maybe- maybe they'd accept her. Maybe she'd be better.

At times like these, Alyna wishes she could repaint the entirety of the Hufflepuff dorms. Who decided on yellow? The color of sunshine and happiness. The colors that were opposite of her heart. Her heart, which was black and twisted and broken.

I'm sure she won't disappoint.

Because that's all Alyna was to them. A fucking disappointment.

She wipes at her eyes. No use in crying over things that can't be fixed.

It doesn't take her long to clean up the glass, dumping it in the waste bin by the door. The house-elves would probably find minuscule shards she missed hidden deep in the carpet.

"Alyna?" Hannah steps into the dorm, eyes bright and cheeks flushed. The sounds of laughter and warmth float in from behind her, but they do nothing for Alyna and her frozen heart. "Are you coming? Ernie and the others convinced the house-elves to bake Cedric a cake to celebrate. The whole house is surprising him."

Alyna grins at her friend, hiding away the breaking of her heart. Just for a little while longer. "Do you think I'd miss it? I need to write a quick letter and then I'll be down."

Hannah beams and says, "Hurry up though, I think he's meant to be back any minute."

"I'll be quick. Promise." Alyna watches Hannah retreat down the stairs and takes a breath. She pulls out a piece of parchment and a quill, turning it over in her hands to steady herself before writing.

"I want you to know this, Alyna. No matter if I am in Hogwarts or not, I will always be there for you. To listen and to give advice, should it be wanted. You are very dear to me. Know that you aren't alone in this."

Dear Professor Lupin,

I… I'm sure that you've heard, wherever you are right now, that Hogwarts is holding the Triwizard Tournament this year, which is really exciting. Cedric Diggory (do you remember him? He's a seventh-year Hufflepuff now) was chosen as Hogwarts' champion- with Harry Potter. I'm not surprised that it happened honestly. He always gets himself into messes.

Because Cedric was chosen, my brother sent me a letter today. I'm enclosing a copy of it here- I trust you to not show it to anyone.

Every time I try to overcome this- knowing that I'm not welcome at home anymore. That I-I've been disowned, that I have to go back to that orphanage for the summer- some new obstacle rises and it's getting so hard. I'm so tired of fighting.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I don't even know why I'm writing you this honestly.

Alyna Wright

Alyna folds the letter in half and sticks it in her pocket as Hannah pokes her head into the dorm again, gesturing to her hurriedly. "Come on, Cedric's here!"

Wild cheering explodes from the common room below and Alyna quickly gets to her feet, following Hannah out to the celebration.

Because even with all the hurt, all the dark depths of despair that she feels on a loop in her mind, she can still make others happy. Still, help them heal and grow. Still celebrate their wins and triumphs.

For them, she could hide her cracked eyes and jagged edges behind a golden mask and smile.

December 11th, 1994

"Oi, you flicked me! What was that for?"

"You've been staring for the past twenty minutes. What are you-" George pauses, following his brother's line of sight. "Oh."

"Not a word George," Fred averts his gaze from where he had been watching Alyna, sitting in the grass studying with her housemates. "Not a word."

"From me? My lips are sealed," George says, lapsing into quiet over their Transfiguration homework. "You haven't asked anyone to the dance yet."

Fred raises a brow at him and shakes his head. "I don't know if I like where this is going."

"You should ask her. Y'know, as friends who don't know that they're in looovvvee yet."

George isn't quick enough to dodge the hit, falling backward onto the grass. The green stretch outside the castle is filled with students from all three schools, though those from Hogwarts seem to be the only ones doing actual schoolwork.

"Don't start this again-"

"Please. You two are meant for each other. I've had to endure the entire summer of you and her writing letters back and forth and then these few months watching you fall headfirst for that girl. Now," George's eyes glint as he points towards her. "Stop being a pain in the arse and go ask her out to the Yule Ball. Or else I will."

Fred makes a noncommittal sound and narrows his eyes, "you wouldn't."

"Yes, I would. I'm going to do it, right now." Pushing to his feet, George starts across the green towards the group of Hufflepuffs. Fred tackles him mid-stride and they both go down, tumbling to the grass.

They scuffle, oblivious to the crowd that begins to form excitedly at the fight. Fred shouts a cry of triumph, kneeling a little dramatically on George's chest. As he turns, it's Alyna's gaze that he meets. He winks. She rolls her eyes.

"Everything all right with you two?" She asks, tilting her head at him.

Fred raises a hand so that he can catch his breath and grins at her. "Alyna Wright," he pulls out his wand, murmuring a soft summoning spell and an assortment of flowers from the greenhouses shoot into his hand. He winces at the dirt that splatters both their robes. "Didn't think that one out well. But Alyna Wright," Fred starts again, "would you go with me to the Yule Ball?"

Alyna crosses her arms, looking up at him. For one heartbeat. Then another, she's quiet. "You know," there's a tremor in her hands, but she ignores it. Pushes the rising ball of anxiety down down down. "I was wondering when you'd ask me."

"Is that-"

"A yes? Yes, it is. Does this mean that I forgive you for getting dirt all over my sweater? No, it doesn't. So before anything else," Alyna pokes him in the chest playfully, "I think you owe me a hot chocolate from the Three Broomsticks."

"Oh?" Fred raises a brow and grins at her. "Getting' a little bold there."

"Am I?"

"Yes. You are."

"Good. You need someone to keep you on your toes."

Fred's voice softens, "yeah," he says. "I do. Alyna?"

Alyna tilts her head up at him, the smile stretching wide and true. Across her face, her eyes. The cracked shards in her heart don't heal, not yet, but they start to warm. The weight of being alone easing slightly. "Yes?"

"See, I dunno if we're gonna be allowed to go to Hogsmeade this year 'cuz of the tournament, but we've still got the tasks to keep things interesting. So, I was wondering if, you know, after the Ball, if you'd like to watch the second task with me."

"Watch- the second task, with you? As in a date?"

"Yeah." Fred gives her a crooked smile, fingers crossed behind his back. "Exactly that. A- A date. I know it's not exactly ideal. Front row seats to a task that could kill our classmates, but-"

"Yes," Alyna's grin echoes his and she stands on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Yes, Fred. It's perfect."

Fred laughs, glances over when George wolf-whistles and nods. "Wicked."

Dear Miss Wright,

First, I would like to thank you for writing. Receiving your letter was a highlight of my day, though it saddens me deeply to hear what your brother has said to you. I hope that you know to take his words with a grain of salt. The house you're in should not be what defines you, rather it's your actions that show who you are.

You are a brilliant witch. Do not let others tell you otherwise, and you are a far cry from being a disappointment. As an alumnus of the Gryffindor House, I would like to say that while it would have been an honor to have someone as skilled as you in our ranks, I firmly believe that the sorting hat does not make mistakes. If you were sorted into Hufflepuff, then that is where you will thrive the most. Where you will be the strongest.

One of the greatest Aurors alive today, Nymphadora Tonks, is a proud member of Hufflepuff. You will do great things right where you are Alyna, do not fret. Do not give up hope yet. There are good things that are coming for you.

On a second night, a fragment of your letter concerned me. To my understanding, you said that you'll be going back to a muggle orphanage for the summer holidays? I can understand how that would add to your mental state.

If it is permissible with you, I would like to extend the invitation for you to come stay with me for the holidays, whichever they may be, for as long as you need, or until other arrangements are made.

And remember- even the darkest night must come to an end at sunrise.

R. Lupin.

Hi hi hi hi :)

Chapter two is now up! I know, I know, there was angst- BUT THERE WAS ALSO FLUFF, SO... am I forgiven? *crosses fingers*

I really hope you all like it and I'll be back (hopefully) next week with the next chapter.

Liz

P.S.

(I've moved this story to ao3 due to some issues with Fanfiction. My user is the same as here. Once the problems are resolved, I'll continue posting here.)