So….Not that I've given any big hints (well actually that's a lie, I've given three) but does anyone have a guess to what Lyra is? She's no normal witch, obviously. But what exactly is she? Any guesses? No, yes, maybe so? We'll see.

And here we are….chapter 7! Awesome…Since I've decided to do a double update! Because I missed two days!

I4got2004- Welcome, welcome! I'm pleased you're enjoying the story so far! Hopefully I can keep that interest! Also, I hopee you enjoy this chapter.

Purplepenguin12- Thanks! I'm starting to look forward to your reviews! And haha, I'm not giving any secrets away...well not true! I've been dropping hints! And as for what Wicky did...you'll find out, promise. But not just yet! Read on!

Disclaimer: I was so close to finding the copy-right pages in J. vault. Unfortunately she still owns the twins. Fortunately, fanfiction lets me do what I want with the characters! Yay for dreams that can be written out, haha

To be a Gryffindor

3a.m. again..

She was up, wide awake curled in a ball in the middle of her bed. Her quill and notebook were discarded somewhere up above her head with the familiar riddle she couldn't remember writing. But she ignored it in favor of moping behind the heavy drapes of her bed.

'Don't tell me you miss them, little one?' He asked with such an annoyingly amused voice Lyra closed her eyes tightly to banish her irritation before answering. 'I don't miss them, I saw them a couple of hours ago..'

But tomorrow she would, and that's what made it all bittersweet. They wouldn't have a reason to seek her out anymore. The debt was repaid.

'I don't understand you little one, why not talk to the ones you seem fond of…humans find it pleasing to interact with one another do they not?' She sighed pushing herself up to sit cross-legged huddling a pillow to her chest. If the voice in her head wasn't going to shut up, she might as well use it for the opportunity he provided…

'Humans yes, they do like interacting. But not with girls who purposefully make themselves invisible.' Lyra commented, fingers absently plucking at the corner of her pillow.

'Gryffindors are ones renowned for their courage…' He began soothingly and Lyra snorted burying her face into the cool silk. "Obviously that doesn't apply to me"

"And why is that, little one?" Lyra rolled her eyes. "Courage. I have none. This is all just some sick joke the universe wants to play on me. If Dumbledore hadn't asked me….forget it." She moaned lying down again, huddled on top of the pillow she refused to release.

"So you'll just keep running, little rabbit?" He deliberately used the name, conjuring an image of the grinning two his little one was enamored with. "Not you too!" He chuckled, the rumbling she was beginning to grow accustomed to, soothed her with its familiarity.

"Answer…" He probed gently and Lyra could almost feel his hot breath fanning the side of her face, his large eyes (which she could never picture) would be staring patiently waiting for the answer he knew would come given a bit of patience.

"You…you know what I am?" Lyra sighed staring stubbornly at the wooden frame, tracing over the leaf patterns carved into the wood absently. He grinned, a flash of white fangs accompanied by a soft growl of agreement.

"Wizards don't….wizards don't like my kind. We're hunted and killed just for living. It's a risk being here, staying here. Wanting them, and their friendship it's all a risk…" She muttered trying to convince herself to get rid of this pain, the pang of loneliness that accompanied it when she spoke of it aloud. "I'm gambling with my life." But weren't they all with the war looming overhead?

"And you believe they would turn on you? Hunt you like the game they affectionately call you?" He asked evenly and Lyra pulled her covers over her head. "You can't lo-like. You can't like something you've been taught to hate since birth." She retorted tiredly, the drain of the conversation pulling her into the darkness sleep provided.

He hummed in return, making her feel silly and childish for the reasons she'd given him. But Lyra knew she was right. There was no denying all that she's said."And what if you chose them for a reason little rabbit?"She sighed heavily. "I don't get my hopes up…"

Lie, lie, and lie. She was always hoping. It was just so hard to teach yourself to stop…

He growled softly, rousing her enough to ask one last question. 'And the answer to my riddle? What is it?" Scowling she snapped back drowsily. 'Key. It's always the same." He laughed at her then before crooning. 'Sleep now..'

'Like I need your permission…'

She didn't go down to breakfast. Call her a coward (she'd agree wholeheartedly), scoff at her as she threw away her small chance to get closer to them. But she couldn't face them as they went back to ignoring her. She'd force them to repay the debt they believed they'd owed her and she'd been unable to use that to station them by her side.

So Lyra took her time dressing, brushing out her hair, gathered her books and assignments as she checked and double checked (triple checking in her nervousness) . And it was only when she had just enough time to get to class did she rush down the dorm stairs and out the door, keeping her eyes downcast as she weaved between students.

Classes seemed to drag, and she fretted between them working herself up as her eyes unconsciously darted this way and that to catch a glimpse of tall red heads. But her paranoia only grew as they seemed to disappear, and she jumped at every chuckle waiting for the unified playful calls of 'hey rabbit' but they never came.

When lunch rolled around she was considerably calmer, accepting the fact she wouldn't see them, trying not to feel disappointed, as she made her way to her usual spot, starving. Lyra made a mental note to at least call Wicky to bring her an apple if she was going to skip out on breakfast again. Reaching out to push the door open she paused paling considerably as Lee Jordan spoke up.

And that wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact he was inside the girls bathroom and if he was there….

'Someone want to tell me why we're eating lunch…in the middle of the girls bathroom." He protested and Lyra stifled a whimper, pressing a hand to her mouth.

They were in her spot! Hers! Stuck between furious that her sacred spot had been invaded and scared witless they'd actually found out her spot and were most likely waiting for her, Lyra turned to her basic instincts; fight or flight.

And flight was winning out.

Turning to flee, again (it was getting a bit ridiculous to the poor girl) she bumped into a firm chest(Merlin she loved Quidditch…). Looking up she groaned nearly groaned aloud. Instead she stammered out a soft. "Ge-George…" Damnit why couldn't all three of them be in the damn bathroom so she could escape!

He smiled easily reaching out to brush a strand of her hair behind her ear in what seemed an almost unconscious move on his part. "Rabbit, where you hopping off to now?" He asked playfully, giving her that heartbreakingly handsome boyish smile.

'The Great Hall for lunch?" She said, fretting as it came out as more of a question. 'Damnit Lyra be more confident!' Chiding herself she stiffened up hoping her posture gave her answer some credibility.

Another resolve crushing smile was sent her way, and she could practically feel her knees turn to jell-o. "Why? That elf…Wicky already set up lunch in there…" He took a half cautious step forward. "What are you running from, pretty rabbit?" He cooed softly.

George cocked his head to the side, his eyes raking over her trembling form as he observed her taking in all the ticks she was displaying.

He took in her black- 'Not black, brown' he corrected as the light bounced off her eyes lightening them enough for him to take in the dark chocolate. Her lips were trembling at the corners as if she didn't know whether to laugh or cry, as she watched him cautiously.

Her hands were shaking too, he noticed, like they had the day before at breakfast. 'She's overwhelmed.' He noted in surprised backing off a bit. It made sense after all. George could clearly see she wasn't use to being around people or having this much interaction with anyone. But neither of the twins were entirely to patient and George was only slightly second guessing their 'trial by fire' method they were using.

But it was kind of too late. George sighed mentally; they'd already invaded her space. Holding out his hand he wiggled his fingers in invitation. "Join us for lunch?" He asked with a soft smile she'd responded positively to before.

He watched her waiting patient, because one thing George knew for certain: she was going to take his hand. George wasn't entirely sure why he was so confident (given their last encounters she was more than likely to bolt) he couldn't pinpoint the why or how, he just knew. The confidence that Lyra wouldn't refuse him was there and as her smaller hand slipped into his he knew it was there for good reason. Opening the door he tugged her in, beaming at her.

Wicky had laid out an orange blanket, along with the usual charms that kept the food fresh and decontaminate (really they were eating in a bathroom, didn't mean they weren't overly clean about it!) and was looking at Fred and Lee a bit apprehensively. Fred was grinning at a grumbling Lee as he bit harshly into the sandwich he was holding.

Looking over, Fred spotted the couple first his grin bright as he scrambled up. "Rabbit! You made it!" He said gleefully pulling her into a bear hug despite one hand still within George's grasp. Lyra giggled at his exuberant greeting allowing herself the moment to tuck her head under his chin. Fred was well aware of the motion and winked at George before releasing her. "Fred, I eat lunch in here, question is why are you here?" Lyra asked softly.

Lee chuckled accepting the goblet Wicky passed him. "Ah, should have known a pretty bird was involved." He winked sipping from the cup and Lyra blushed releasing both of the boys, only to spot Wicky's bandaged hands.

"Wicky!" She gasped kneeling before him, gently looking at his hands. "What happen?" Wicky shifted nervously already tearing up. 'Wicky punished himself lie! He deserves it! He burned his hands in the oven! Dobby, Dobby bandaged Wicky's hands…" Lyra sighed nodding her head.

"Alright, but you know you're not supposed to punish yourself without my permission" Which she had never and would give him permission for" yeah?" She reprimanded gently releasing his hands as he nodded vigorously returning to the basket and handing her an apple. She grinned widely rubbing the crimson fruit against her cheek with a soft purr much to the guy's amusement.

"Unless you say? Why's that?" Lee questioned pulling the basket from George's grip, snagging a slice of pie. George glared, pulling the basket back to shift inside for something to eat, Fred peeking over his shoulder.

"Oh…Wicky's my house elf. My grandfather gave him to me when he was an elf-ling. I've taken care of him ever since. " She murmured taking a healthy bite of the fruit in her hands as Wicky beamed at the questioning boy. "Lie has tried to free Wicky many times, but Wicky chooses to stay." He told Lee proudly who nodded understandingly, quirking up a brow at the name 'lie'.

"How'd you get him to Hogwarts?" George questioned finally settling on a bowl of soup….briefly wondering how the eccentric elf managed to put the bowl, uncovered in the basket without spilling a drop…

"Oh…" Lyra trailed off shifting uncomfortably. "Grandfather worked it out with the headmaster…I'm not sure why…but I don't call him often." She hastens to explain not wanting to play the part of pampered princess.

Fred grinned as Wicky finally snatched the basket from him, setting a few selections in front of the wizard gleefully. "Better not let Granger catch you with him, she'll start prattling on and on about the wonders of SPEW." He rolled his eyes causing Lyra to blink curiously canting her head to the side. 'SPEW?"

"Don't ask…" The boys all groaned in unison. Lyra hid her smile behind her apple, perhaps somethings were best left alone…

"So will someone finally tell me why we're eating in here?" Lee asked gesturing to the room around them with a scowl. "I could be trying to charm Alicia right now.." "Try being the word." Fred said cheekily and Lee took a playful swing which Fred dodged easily. "Git, just tell me."

"We're in here because it took forever for us to track the she-rabbit to her den." George said playfully jerking his thumb toward Lyra who'd finished her apple and moved to the sandwich wicky handed her. "Lyra! My name is Lyra, George." She scowled.

"Nu-uh." Fred said wagging a finger at her. 'You're our rabbit now." He sang reaching out to pat her red cheeks fondly.

Lee grinned and addressed her next. "So rabbit-Lyra." He chuckled nervously at her furious eyes. Looks like that name was for the twins only. "You eat in here, by yourself? Every day?" He asked incredulously pushing his dreds from his eyes. That couldn't be right. He thought birds were all about socializing and glamor spells and whatever else birds did.

Lyra suddenly found her skirt very interesting again. Her fingers absently stroked one of the hem of her skirt. "Oh…well...kind of…" Damn this skirt matched so well with that fluffy orange blanket…. And why did these boys have to be so damn blunt!?

"I mean...I'm…I'm not very good, at talking to others…" She fumbled drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying the soft flesh between them.

"Nonsense…" George said smoothly because she was doing that thing again, with the large eyes and a soft bitter smile. And he briefly wondered when he became such a sucker for that look. "You talk to us just fine." He ended with his signature playful smile as she shot him a surprised look.

"You don't really give me a choice…" She remarked dryly. Lee grinned tilting his head. "Shyest Gryffindor I've ever seen." He remarked shaking his head but his smile dimmed as she flinched at the words, her eyes dropping back to her lap.

"Rabbit?" George called softly and Fred gave Lee an exasperated look. But to his credit, Lee didn't exactly know what he'd done to cause that reaction. The twins didn't either, but they knew whatever it was it was a sore point for the girl.

"Really, I shouldn't even be in Gryffindor." Lyra sighed setting her food down, it didn't taste right anyways and she had no wish to ingest ash. Wicky cleared it away sadly knowing that look well.

"Rubbish." Fred declared heatedly reaching out to tilt her chin up. He looked at her seriously. 'The sorting hat-" "Makes mistakes." She cut him off, removing her chin from his grip gently. Fred scowled but Peeves interrupted, finally showing himself.

"I thought I taught you both a lesson!" His face twisting up in rage as he glared furiously at the other boys "Peeves, no, it's alright!" Lyra said scrambling to stand holding her hands out, palms up in surrender. "I invited them.." She didn't, they all knew that, but hopefully Peeves could be appeased by that. "They haven't done anything wrong…I thought you liked your fellow mischief makers." The boys gaped as Peeves, the mischievous, devious poltergeist, who refused to listen to anyone relax; as Lyra played him as easily as a record player. Lyra smiled sweetly at her friend. "I've also got more of those juggling balls…" Peeves brightened considerably and rubbed his hands together.

"Alright! They can stay…but I warn you now ickle bitty wizzies! Leave Lyra alone!" George nodded in agreement as Lee continued to gape. Fred on the other hand pulled Lyra down in his lap ignoring her squeals and struggles as he held her tightly, pinching her cheek with an impish grin. "As if we'd ever hurt our rabbit.." He cooed as she slapped his hands away crawling out of his lap only for George to wrap his arm around her shoulder playfully giving her a wet kiss on her cheek.

Lyra felt faint all of a sudden….Her eyes glazing over even as she wiped her cheek. Had George's lips just made contact with her cheek? She needed a drink..something heavy that would burn her throat and make her eyes water just so she could make sure she didn't squeal aloud because if she woke up and that damn voice in her head was laughing at her...

Peeves grinned at her look, laughing aloud. "Rabbit! Ha! Run rabbit! Thee rabbits done, caught up by the weasels just for fun!" He crowed floating around them making a show of catching up Wicky who screamed indignantly and dropping him down.

Finally snapping out of it Lee rubbed his forehead. 'Did Peeves just listen to someone?" He questioned faintly staring at Lyra in disbelief. Lyra giggled nodding at his floored expression. "Peeves is my best friend." She added happily and Lee shook his head.

"I'm eating lunch in the girls bathroom with a troublemaking ghosts who's best friends with the shyest Gryffindor I've ever met and two crazy gingers…" he took a large gulp of pumpkin juice. "What's next?"

"Oh Lyra…" Myrtle giggled clasping her hands in front of her, swaying back and forth. "You've brought company…" She said floating down to join them, giving Peeves a disdainful look.

"Who's that?" Lee gaped at the girl dressed in the Ravenclaw uniform. "Moaning Myrtle…" George whispered to him handing Wicky the empty dishes. "Ronnie told us about her…" Fred whispered in the same tone. Lee frowned rubbing his head in confusion. "Yeah but who is she?"

Lyra smiled sadly. 'Myrtle was killed when the Chamber of Secrets was opened the first time…" Lyra supplied as Myrtle sniffed in agreement. "Killed by a pair of glowing gold eyes…" She hiccupped twirling around with a pout.

Peeves scowled. "Ickle Ravie, they're not here for you!" "And why not!? No one ever comes to see poor moaning…moping Myrtle!" She snarled and Peeves got in her face. "Because all you do is whine and flood thee floor!" He tossed back and Lyra sighed covering her ears. George quickly followed her example.

Fred and Lee, however, weren't that lucky as Myrtle shrieked horribly at Peeves. They let out a simultaneous yelp clamping their hands tightly over their ringing ears.

Lyra couldn't help but laugh, turning her sparkling eyes up to a surprised George. "That's our cue!" She yelled dashing from the bathroom as Wicky gathered the remains of lunch in record time disappearing with a sharp snap. The boy quickly scrambled after the laughing fifth year out into the hall where Lyra placed a silencing charm on the bathroom door.

Lee winced, shoving a finger inside his ear as it continued to ring. 'Mental…the lot of them." He declared shaking his head. Giving a salute he checked the time. "Oi, I'm going to catch up with Alicia! I'll see you both later!" Fred waved. 'Good luck mate!'

He turned to see Lyra smiling at George, probably getting ready to dodge them again. He watched her with a slight fond smile his gaze curious as her hand moved up to push her hair behind her ear, the gold twisted on her wrist sparkling enough to catch his attention. He'd seen her playing with it a few times, especially the charm but he could never make out what it was exactly.

As she turned to leave, Fred reached out snagging the chain and with a gentle tug it came willingly to him. He held it up eyeing the odd-looking charm. It looked like a small dragon's fang, but there were oddly placed holes in it. She spun around in an instant, already reaching for it. "Fred!" She gasped, eyes wide and panicky. "Give it back!" But he nodded to the object. "What is it?"

"On ocarina. Fred, please, give it back?" "How do you always know..?" Hee murmured thoughtfully and shook the necklace, watching the ocarina bounce a bit. 'What's an ocarina, anyways?" "A musical instrument. Please, Fred." Lyra pleaded and he turned to look at her now and he was glad he did….sort of.

Her eyes changed. The white fading, the brown too disappearing as her whole eye shifted black. He dropped it in surprise backing up as she cuddled the necklace; her eyes normal.

But she was biting her lip, looking so apologetic he ran a hand over his face surprised he was shaking. Just a small sliver of fear skirted down his spine."Your…eyes…" He looked at George in shock, only to see the same wide eyes. So George noticed too. Good, he didn't want to have been the only one. "Your eyes changed." He said. That was all he could say. Eyes did not fade to black. Unless a spell was cast, that was not normal, not even in the wizarding world.

"Please….please don't tell." Lyra begged clasping her hands under her chin. And instantly Freed felt silly for fearing this petite girl. She had run from him ever chance she got, smiled with a slightly bitter edge, and asked for a debt to be repaid in candy all the while complimenting the brilliance behind their invention. How could he even think about fearing her?

But her eyes…

"You're not a normal witch." George stated watching her and she didn't move, though her eyes filled quickly. "No, I'm not..." She whispered softly, and they could tell she wanted to bolt then, but she stayed watching them.

"Please…please don't tell." She began again but Fred ignored them in favor of asking another question. "What…what are you?" Lyra paused and this time dropped her eyes to the floor. "Something dangerous…" Her whispered words seemed to echo in the hallway and the twins shivered.

"But I…I won't hurt you." Lyra told them a few tears slipping from her eyes. "I've been here five years…and I've never hurt anyone." She was pleading again, Fred noted absently. Pleading for them not to tell, to understand, to trust she wouldn't hurt them. "And I've never tried."

And somewhere in the back of his mind, Fred was completely certain she couldn't hurt him. Not that she wouldn't but that she couldn't hurt him or George. Maybe that was arrogance on his part, or sheer wishful thinking, but he was completely confident this small rabbit before him with her large doe eyes couldn't hurt him or George.

"Is that why you never interact with anyone? You wanted to keep this a secret." George said quietly, realization finally making it ways into his eyes. She nodded in agreement wiping her tears away from her face.

The halls slowly began to flood with other students and Fred scowled, knowing they couldn't continue in the middle of the hallway. Catching George's eyes, they nodded and Fred reached out grabbing Lyra's arm pulling her into a nearby passage way.

"Lumos." George murmured and the corridor was lit up as he held out his wand. But they kept their gazes on each other. Fred released her slowly and she backed up leaning against the dusty wall allowing them to trap her.

"If you're so dangerous…why did you come to Hogwarts?" Fred demanded. "Dumbledore.." "Dumbledore asked me to come here." Lyra answered, cutting him off at the name of the headmaster with a sad smile. "I didn't want to come….it's dangerous here for me as it is for you being trapped here with me. Children are so cruel…" She whimpered another tear escaping before she scowled and angrily brushed it away.

George frowned. "But why did Dumbledore convince you to come here then? If either way it's dangerous?" Lyra shook her head helplessly. "He only told me it would help me to find what I need too."

"And what's that?" Fred asked, curious now, more relaxed. If Dumbledore knew, and was fine with having a supposed dangerous creäture here, then Fred was fine with it. The old coot had always had the Weasley's support and loyalty. Now was no different in Fred's eyes.

But if he were being incredible honest with himself, he could say that he didn't find a single thing that was dangerous about this girl, aside from when her eyes turned jet black. That was slightly unnerving. Other than that, he was finding it difficult for her to conform to the image of being a blood thirsty (because all dangerous creatures had to be blood-thirsty or it wouldn't work out) monster when she was pleading with them teary eyed.

They called her rabbit for a reason for Merlin's sakes!

"What do you need, then?" Fred questioned and George too waited for the answer. But another helpless shrug was all she had to offer. "I don't know…I've never needed anything really…" She admitted frowning as they descended into silence.

"You know…you know I won't hurt you right?" She asked looking so hopeful they found themselves nodding. "And you won't tell anyone? No one can know."

"But what are you?" George pressed as they stared at her intently. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but ultimately shook her head. "I can't tell you that. And please, don't try to find out. You'll put all three of us in danger…" Fred and George shared a glance. Damn she seemed to know them well.

"Don't tell." She repeated with a heavy sigh, obviously tired of repeating herself when they didn't give their consent. George smiled slowly at Fred, and Fred nodded with a sly smile.

"We won't tell.." George began. "But you have to answer our questions…."

"And stop running from us-"

"And stop Peeves from using those balls on us-"

"Anything else?" Lyra said in exasperation. Damn, they had a list didn't they? "Alright.." She agreed holding up a finger to stop them from speaking.

"If that question indirectly answers what I am, I can refuse. I'll stop running, but Peeves…I make no promises…" Lyra nervously held out her hands. "Deal?"

They were silent, staring at each other as they used that odd twin telepathy Lyra found so fascinating and they nodded each grasping an offered hand. 'Deal."

Simultaneously they tugged her forward, each landing a wet kiss on her cheek.

Lyra shook from the contact. Did that mean she had to get use to that as well? Because if that was the case she was looking forward to this odd friendship. She smiled looking up at them through her lashes."And you can start by joining us at Hogsmeade this weekend." They said in unison.

"Seems Harry's found a way around Umbridge' rubbish teaching." Fred confided and Lyra backed away with a surprised blink. Oh, right Umbridge. She'd forgotten the horrid pink cow, even with the scar on her hand. Really who had time to think about Umbridge when Fred and George Weasley just hood-winked her into a friendship she'd been dying for but didn't have the courage to ask for, and kiss her cheeks. Oh Merlin's beard...their lips had been so close to her mouth. She could feel her eyes glazing over at the thought.

Huh, wait, what? Hogsmeade? They wanted to go to Hogsmeade with her!? "You…you both want me." She pointed to herself with a half-smile. 'A girl you just found out was dangerous…to go to Hogsmeade with you to find out what Harry's planning?" They grinned nodding.

"I would ask if you're both insane…but I think I already know the answer…" She told them with a coy smile and Fred smirked with a shrug. "When you're this good…" He trailed off. He looked at George expectantly who shrugged raising his hands. "I'm not even sure what the end of that was an' I'm your twin..." They burst out laughing hugging their new friend between them. Seriously George tilted her chin up, giving her that dangerously sweet boyish smile again.

"You're not going to hurt us rabbit…we know that. Now, no more running yeah?" She beamed, her cheek dusting pink before gesturing to the wall. "I need to get to class guys…" Yeah she needed to get to class before she fell into a dead faint between them. They grinned opening the wall so she could duck out.

Lyra waved and scampered off back to the girls' bathroom, giddy and dizzy from being so close to them, glad everything was quiet as she dropped to her knees laughter bubbling up her throat, like a faulty potion as her nervous laughter echoed off the walls causing Myrtle to appear in concern.

Why did she feel as if she was just dropped into Wonderland and the Mad Hatter and March Hare were her guides?

More than that, why did she feel like she was going to enjoy every bloody moment of it?