Exam results are out! OMG! Anyone else like Hermione? XD

Lyra discovers that some scars go more than skin deep...but only if she let's them.

The sun peered from behind the cloud, reaching golden fingers through a window, into a room, where a group of teenagers were hanging out. A brunette paced the room anxiously, muttering to herself, while a blond boy watched her in bemusement. Occasionally the brunette would leap around to glare out the window, before resuming her pacing. But it was the young red-haired girl who saw the trio of owls swoop past.

"Guys! They're here!"

"Oh no, oh no oh no-"

"Hermione, shut up! You were like this before, remember?" A red-head looked up from the chessboard.

"Shut up Ron! Oh no, I've failed, I know it!" The brunette wailed and pressed her hands to her face.

Two owls swooped into the room, each dropping off an envelope-one in front of Ginny, the other in front of Hermione. The latter backed away with a whimper.

Draco snorted. Reaching over her shoulder, he scooped up the envelope, opening it and removing the letter. He unfolded it and looked it over. "Eleven Outstandings. Even better than your O.W.L.s. Happy?" he asked, handing her the letter. Hermione looked it over, going very quiet.

Ron snorted. "You haven't changed, 'Mione. How did you go, Gin?"

"Alright?" replied Ginny. "Mostly Exceeds Expectations. I got an O in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Charms."

"Well, that's not surprising, what with Dumbledore's Army and all." replied her brother. "What's happened to that now, anyway?"

Ginny shrugged. "It will probably be disbanded now that everybody's graduated."

"Hey," Hermione said suddenly. "There were three owls outside, but only two of us got letters. Where's the other one?"

Until then, another boy had been sitting on an armchair, watching Ron whip Harry at wizard's chess. He glanced up at Hermione's words, then got to his feet. "Don't worry about it. The owl knows what it's doing," he replied, then left the room.

"What's gotten into him?" asked Ron as his queen smashed Harry's knight. The other boy scowled at the board.

"Oh, leave him alone," replied Ginny, sitting down beside Harry. "He's fine."

~oOo~

George stood outside, scanning around him. He paused, breathing in the afternoon air, savouring the warmth of the golden sun on his face. After a moment he spotted the missing owl rise over the broom shed. Without hesitation he crossed the field towards it.

As he drew closer he spotted someone slumped underneath the gnarled tree that grew next to the silver structure. Moving towards the tree, he sat down beside the figure and poked them lightly. "Hey. Lyra."

The girl stirred, then shifted to rest her head on George's shoulder, muttering lightly.

George's face softened momentarily before he shook her shoulder. "Lyra," he repeated softly.

"What-huh-" The girl's eyes opened.

I blinked blearily as blue eyes came into focus. "George," I mumbled, smiling. "What are you doing here?"

George looped his arm around my shoulders. "What, I can't come see you just because?" he asked, smiling back.

I leaned into him. "Fine then. Why did you wake me up?" I shot back.

"Because you have mail." When I blinked at him, he pointed upwards. "O.W.L.s, from the owl."

"Oh. Merlin's beard. How long has that been there? And they're for my N.E.W.T.s," I added, gazing up at the hovering owl. The owl dropped its letter and disappeared with a reproachful hoot.

"Whatever," replied George. "Same thing."

I looked down at the envelope in my lap.

Lyra Malfoy

The Burrow

Ottery St. Catchpole

Devon

Carefully I lifted the flap with my fingernail, and pulled out the roll of parchment.

NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TESTS RESULTS

Pass Grades: Outstanding (O) Exceeds Expectations (E) Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades: Poor (P) Dreadful (D) Troll (T)

LYRA NARCISSA MALFOY HAS ACHIEVED:

Astronomy: A
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: A
Defence Against the Dark Arts: O
Herbology: O
Potions: E
Muggle Studies: E
Transfiguration: O

I gazed silently at the parchment. George peered over my shoulder at the ink. "You took Muggle Studies?" he said, incredulous.

I looked up at him. "I wanted to," I replied, shrugging.

The boy shook his head. "You are so odd." He slipped the letter from my fingers for a closer look, then whistled. "Three O's. And three E's. Are you trying to beat Hermione?" I smacked him on the arm, making him yelp.

"Idiot," I said, snatching the paper from him. "Go be mean somewhere else."

George laughed softly, wrapping his arms around me and tucking my face against his chest so his chin could rest on my head. "But it's so much fun winding you up, Harp." He dropped a kiss on the top of my head. "Congratulations, by the way. Eight N.E.W.T.s. Mum will be proud."

I smiled, snuggling closer. "Thanks." My voice was soft.

We stood like that for a little while before George cleared his throat again. I looked up into his face inquiringly. "Mhmm?"

George hesitated before talking. "I was wondering if…you would like…to share my room," he finally said, watching for my reaction.

I pulled away, startled. "What?"

"You heard," George muttered.

I was quiet for a long time. "Why?" I finally asked.

"Well…we start Quidditch practice really early tomorrow, so I thought it would be easier to share a room, instead of you waking up Ginny."

I raised a brow. "Ginny starts Quidditch practice early tomorrow as well, remember?" I reminded him. "She just doesn't play for the same team we do." I folded my arms. "And that's not the real reason, anyway."

George fell silent. Finally he muttered, "I don't like being alone…in my room."

I looked at him, startled.

"It's hard…sometimes," George continued, "Waking up at night, and only hearing your own breathing. It's too…quiet."

"George-"
I know he's gone," George snapped, then turned away with a sigh. "I just…it's too quiet now."

I wrapped my arms around him from behind. George jumped. "I'm sorry George." I didn't know what else to say, so I took the plunge. "Yes. Of course I'll keep you company tonight."

George said nothing, but I felt him relax minutely against me.

"Uhm."

"Oh. You can use my bed."

George turned to look down at the other vacated bed. "Hey Fred, you don't mind, right?" Of course there was no answer. George slid under the covers. "Tell me when it's okay to look," he said, faint laughter ringing in his voice.

"I'm glad someone's happy," I replied tartly. As I headed for the bathroom, I heard George's faint laugh.

I exited, dressed in a singlet and track pants, and waited until I had slid under the covers in George's bed before I spoke again. "Okay. You can look now."

There was a moment's silence, then George rolled over. "Hey, Lyra?"

"Mhmm?"

"Thanks for…being here." George's voice was quiet.

"It was nothing George," I finally replied. "I'm glad you asked."

"Yea," replied George softly, already sounding sleepy. "Okay."

I lay there, listening to the sounds of George's breathing slow and deepen as he drifted off. It sounded the same as when I shared a room with Ginny. But, for some reason, I was glad that it was George and not Ginny.

I walk down the hall, towards the battle. Somewhere behind me is Draco, still kneeling beside that dead girl that I couldn't save. No. Don't think about that. Don't think about Draco, or that unnamed girl. Don't look back. Don't even think about it. I know that if I look back, I won't be able to walk away.

I round the corner. In front of me is chaos. There is duelling going on throughout the Great Hall. Bodies lie everywhere-it is impossible to tell who is dead and who is merely unconscious.

There is a blur in the air towards Lavender Brown.

I act. I was standing around the corner on two feet. I rocket into the Great Hall on four, smashing into the blur that is Fenrir Greyback. The werewolf instantly turns on me, his previous prey forgotten. I parry his slash easily, marvelling at how natural this form seems. As I twist away I feel fire cut into my left shoulder as his claws mark me. With a snarl I lash out blindly, scoring Greyback in the face.

He recovers and lunges again. I rise to meet him, standing between him and Lavender, snarling.

Everything goes wrong.

I stumble. I then realise that the floor is covered in blood. It is spilling from everything-the walls, Lavender's body, even from Greyback and I. As my claws scrabble for purchase, the werewolf's body crashes into me. Greyback looms over me, pinning me as he gives me a toothy grin.

"Lyra." The voice sounds far away as I struggle under the dead weight.

"Lyra. Wake up."

Greyback snarls in triumph. I lose my control, turning back into a human.

Greyback lunges in.

"Lyra!"

I jerked awake, my name still ringing in my ears, my cry still half-on my lips. I bolted upright in bed, taking deep gasps of air and trying to stop myself trembling.

Someone's arms wrapped around me, and I jumped, flailing wildly.

"Ouch! Lyra-ouch! It's me! It's George!"

I yanked away. It's only then I feel the tears that are pouring down my face. My chest heaved as I took ragged breaths.

"Lyra?" The voice was tentative. George placed a hand on my shoulder. "Where did you get that scar?" I jumped again, becoming aware of the warmth beside me. "George!"

"What?"
"What are you doing? You can't be here. I…"

George sat up abruptly. "You woke me up. You were whimpering." His voice had hardened. "I comforted you. I'm sorry I made you nervous." He slid out from under the covers.

"George! Wait. I'm sorry. You…I was dreaming, and you startled me…I was…scared," I finally whispered, looking into my lap. I quickly swiped my cheeks with the back of my hand.

There was movement, and I felt warmth again as George sat next to me, sliding his legs under the covers. This time when he wrapped his arms around me I leaned into him, my breath hitching.

"Shhh…Why were you scared?" George murmured, rocking me.

"I dreamed about fighting Greyback in the battle," I finally whispered

George sighed. "It was only a dream."

"No it wasn't." I looked up at him. "I actually fought Greyback, during the battle at Hogwarts. It was where I got that scar…"

George looked at me surprised. "You were that wolf, in the Great Hall." When I stared up at him, startled, he exclaimed, "You were! You're an Animagus," he marvelled. "How long have you been one?"

"Since that year," I mumbled. "After Greyback hurt Bill…I wanted to be able to stop things like that happening."

George tightened his arms around me. "Will there ever be a day when you don't surprise me?" he asked gently. When I didn't reply, he kissed the top of my head. "What happened?"

I shuddered. "In the dream, Greyback won."

"And he bit you." George's words were a statement.

"No," I whispered, the tears coming faster now. "He…he tore out my throat."

George's body jolted violently, then he pulled me against him, hugging me tightly. "That's not going to happen. Ever. Anybody who wants you is going to have to go through me," he whispered harshly, tightening the hug. I had no response to his fierce declaration. All I could do was bury my face in his chest and let my tears fall as he pressed his lips to my head.

Finally I pulled away. "I'm sorry. For being so…silly," I said softly, wiping away a stray tear.

"You're not being silly," George replied. He smiled faintly. "It's funny actually. I never considered that the person I look to for comfort would need it so much herself." He pulled me back into his hug. I didn't have anything to say to his words, so I settled for resting my ear on his chest with a sigh.

"Feeling better now?" asked George. When I nodded, he let go.

"No George." I grabbed his hand. "Stay. Please."

A startled look crossed George's face. "But-"
"Just stay," I mumbled. "Keep me warm? Please. I don't want him to come back."

George slid under the covers again, wrapping his arms around me. "Don't worry. I'm here. And Lyra?"

"Yes?"

George's fingers traced the scar-a thin white line that ran over the top of my shoulder. My breath hitched, and I started again. "This means nothing," he murmured, meeting my gaze. "Okay? It's a battle scar. Do you know what that means?" When I didn't reply, he pulled me into a hug. "It means that you survived. It means you're alive. It means you won. You beat Fenrir Greyback. Be proud of that. Now go to sleep."

"He won't come back?" I asked in a very small voice.

George kissed my forehead. "I promise he won't come back. Now sleep. I'm here."

Cute, right? :)

I actually bothered to follow the format that the O.W.L. results are written in coz I'm such a hardcore HP fan xD

Anyway. Hope you liked it!

~ MagicalLeaves