So, I've made a great big jump...to the Christmas break :)

Did you guys want me to write something about Lyra's studies at Hogwarts? I wasn't sure, and I couldn't think of anything interesting-you have all read 6 books worth of Harry and his friends in all sorts of classes, so I decided that you've seen enough...but if you want me to include a chapter on some time at Hogwarts, I'll do that! :)

Lyra has unfinished business to resolve on her return...

"Have a great Christmas Luna," I said to my silvery blonde friend. "Say hi to your dad for me."

"Oh, I will," replied Luna dreamily. "Do watch out for Nargles, especially in the mistletoe." I grinned, promising her I would, and gave her a quick hug.

"Come on already! It's not like we'll never see eachother again!" Ginny grabbed my arm. I blinked as she literally dragged me, trolley and all, through the barrier. Bill, who'd also travelled home on Hogwarts Express (though not in the same compartment), followed, smiling wryly at his sister's energy.

"Merlin's beard, Ginny, what's the rush?" I exclaimed, as Hermione emerged in our wake.

"Nothing," replied Ginny breathlessly. "I just want to go home that's all."

I rolled my eyes. "Missing someone, are we?" I asked teasingly. Ginny stuck her tongue out at me.

"Well," drawled a very familiar voice. "that's mature of you."

I looked up, a grin splitting my face. "Drake!"

My brother grinned back as I threw my arms around him. "What are you doing here?" I demanded.

"I thought I'd come with the others and meet you at the station," replied my older twin easily as he looped an arm around my shoulders. I grinned and leaned into him, glad to see him after the long months. "How's Hogwarts been treating you?"

"Good," I replied. "Same as usual."

I pulled away to smile at the others. Ginny, Hermione, and I had a small welcoming party this time: Molly, Draco, Harry, and Ron. "It's so nice to see you again," said Molly fondly, giving us all hugs. "The others are at home waiting for you all."

"How's Mother and Father?" I asked as we set off, Draco and I a little behind the others.

"Okay, I guess," replied Draco. "They haven't left the manor in a while-journalists are still all over them."

I smiled ruefully. Though Mothers' actions during the last battle had cleared them, the Malfoy family was still a big scandal. I had once been approached in Hogsmeade by a journalist wanting a tell-all story. If The Three Broomsticks hadn't been nearby, I wouldn't have been able to evade them.

After some fuss and confusion, we all piled into the car and were off.

Draco grabbed my single bag (I'd left the majority of my stuff at Hogwarts over the Christmas break) out of the boot. "I can do that myself, thank you very much," I remarked.

"I don't care," replied Draco, walking away. I rolled my eyes, sighing, and followed him.

Inside The Burrow, I was greeted rather cheerfully by Charlie, while Fleur embraced Bill with a glad cry. She then turned to me, kissing me on both cheeks. Ginny and Hermione received the same treatment. I grinned-Fleur hadn't changed at all.

"Oh you're back, excellent."

I looked up at the words. "Hello Percy," I replied. "Still as formal as ever I see."

"I'm as formal as you are as disrespectful," the older boy shot back. "And you can't talk anyway-Head Girl." I chuckled and gripped his hand.

"Actually," he said, guiding me out of earshot of the others. "We need your help."

When I blinked, he sighed. "Don't tell Mum-she'll get all upset, but George has gone missing again."

"What do you mean 'again'?" I asked, surprised.

Percy shrugged. "George would disappear for a few hours, but he'd always come back. He wouldn't tell anybody where he went. Anyway, he missed breakfast this morning. It's the longest he's been gone."

I had thought Molly looked a bit too excited, I mused.

"Still haven't found him?" Draco and Hermione had joined us. I wasn't really surprised to learn during the trip home that they had started sending letters to eachother. Actually, I thought it was rather cute (though I hadn't said it to either of their faces!). It was Hermione who now spoke.

"We've searched through the fields," replied Percy, "but that can prove difficult considering the grass is taller than most of us."

I frowned. "He can't have gone far," I replied slowly. "He wouldn't want to worry anyone."

"You'd think that," replied Percy, shrugging, "but his broom's gone from the shed. We think he goes quite far."

I glanced out the window to the blue sky, clouds scattered about. An idea blossomed in my mind. I looked back, catching Draco's eye. From the way he looked at me, I could tell that my thought had jumped to him as if he'd Summoned it.

"You know where he is, don't you?" asked Percy slowly, having seen our silent exchange.

"I have an idea," I replied thoughtfully. "But I won't tell you."

"Why not? He could be endangering himself," exclaimed Percy.

I smiled. "You're sweet Perce. George isn't in danger. He needs some place to be by himself that's all. If you knew where he was, then he'd never have a place to himself." I turned, calling over my shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll get him."

I climbed the stairs, retrieving something from mine and Ginny's room. One thing I had brought back with me was Charlie's broom, which I was still using despite its age and the fact that there were plenty of newer brooms out there. Exiting out the back door, I mounted the faithful broom, and looked around for a moment. Satisfied that nobody was looking, I kicked off into the sky.

I didn't fly far. In fact, I didn't even leave the property. Instead, I hovered over red tiles for a moment before touching down. Sure enough, George was stretched out on one side of the roof, arms behind his head. As I approached him, I realised he was using his arms as a pillow-the boy was asleep.

My lips twitched in amusement. Sitting down beside the boy, I patted his arm lightly. "George. Wake up."

The boy stirred slightly, then relaxed again.

I sighed, then shook his shoulder softly, then harder. "George."

George's eyes flickered open. His eyes flashed to me, then he yelped and sat up. I grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him sliding off the tiles.

George muttered something foul as he remembered exactly where he was, then sighed. "Thanks." His gaze fixed on me. "I guess you're back."

"Really?" I asked, raising a brow. "I hadn't noticed." I was rewarded with a snort. In a softer tone, I added, "Everyone's looking for you. We're all really worried."

George muttered another foul word. I raised a brow. "Bloody hell. I didn't mean-" he stopped and sighed, rubbing his head. "I needed a place to be alone, and one day I remembered that story, when you flew up on the roof at your house. So I did the same. I just came up here, for some quiet. To look at the clouds. I wanted to think. But the tiles were so warm, and it was so peaceful…" A light blush stained his cheeks. "I fell asleep." He shook his head again with a sound of frustration. "So much for wanting to come meet you at the station."

I felt a frisson of surprise and happiness dart through me. "You wanted to meet me? Really?"

George grinned. "Course. Come on." He stood, moving to scoop up his and my broom. "If the others are worrying about me, we should get down there and calm them down." I took the offered broom, and we descended carefully to the ground.

I turned at the sound of a door slamming open, but George's voice made me look back at him. "Lyra?"

"Yeah?" I asked.

The boy met my gaze. "I'm glad you're back."

I smiled. "Me too."

"And Lyra?"

I turned back again. "What?"

George grinned. "Where's that toilet seat you promised?"

I was still laughing when the others surrounded us.

Yay. All is definitely forgiven...except maybe the missing toilet seat xD

~ MagicalLeaves