Brielle Montegomery – Mary Sues make me shudder in horror, haha. But guesses! Oh I'd love to hear them! And Lee, I want to bring him in more so he'll be here! I feel as though Lyra needed a friend she didn't have a crush on, but would encourage her and have inside information on what the twins were feeling; also, when the twins leave he'll watch out for Lyra. And it's important their friends for later on….but we'll see as I'm not exactly there yet!

Emma- Emma, Emma, Emma! You've made my day! A guess, I love guesses! A siren? Oh you've caught some of my clues! But no, sorry doll, it's not a siren! Close! Very, very close!

Purplepenguin- It annoys me when everything is perfect and happens all at once. I like to take my time. After all despite the magic, they are still human. We're all so fickle, haha. And the other side was good neh? I liked it as well, letting out her bolder side! And the twins were slightly disappointed she didn't remember, they're growing more comfortable around her and believed she was as well. But they're more confused on why she reacted like that and what they should do about it.

Ruyui- I'm glad you're not disappointed. Your first Fred/OC/George story? Mine too haha, I've never written anything like this before so we'll both see if I can keep it good.

Oh…and readers….who said Lyra was just one dangerous creature? Haha!

Enjoy!

To be a Gryffindor

She was officially afraid to go to sleep. There were many things she could deal with when it came to sleep. Snape randomly appearing every once in a while in her dreams to fail her in potions, the guilty pleasure of diving into a mountain of ice cream (a Sundae with all the fixings from hot fudge to chunks of this awesome candy bar she loved but could never remember the name of) and eating it all by herself without the deadly sickness that would follow, only to wake up craving a Sundae with a suspiciously empty stomach. Even the ridiculousness of running from giant multi-colored frogs she could handle. And there were even the jerk she felt echoing into the waking world as she flew high above to the sky where star dust kissed her cheeks before she took a leap from the broom only to crash into the earth. But she could not handle the thought of someone putting charms on her while she slept.

It was irritating to say the least, seeing as she loved her sleep, you did not mess with her sleep and the only reason that damn voice got away with it was because he didn't seem to have a corporal form so she couldn't hex him into oblivion. So here she was dreading tonight where she knew she would lay in bed awake for hours clutching her wand just to feel as though she had some control over the situation. Even if it was plain to see she had none.

Lyra scowled closing her eyes to block out the image of the frozen black lake she stood before. Questioning Wicky, while enlightening as it was scary as hell, had led nowhere. She'd only found that he'd 'reset the charms' and 'his lie was safe' but other than that, nothing. She'd been forced to stop questioning him when he lunged for a nearby knight statue's sword. (For what, Lyra hadn't exactly been inclined to find out) So instead of having him cause himself bodily harm, Lyra had drafted a strongly worded letter to her grandfather, sending him off.

Not that it would help because she was still afraid to sleep.

Bugger.

Of course she trusted her grandfather and Wicky. Wicky was exceptionally good at magic and if he was using it on her then her grandfather must have drilled the little elf repeatedly before allowing him to do it on his own. But still….she was afraid. She could admit that.

It made her uneasy he'd felt it necessary to use any kind of charm on her after assuring her repeatedly she would be fine to attend Hogwarts as long as she never consciously used her 'extra power'. Snorting she raised her hand, tugging the sleeve of her cloak down to get a better view of her necklace, her fingers catching the charm. The necklace did little else than dull down her senses and hide her eyes from changing, and Lyra was positive there was a shield charm on there as well.

So what were the charms for? What did they do? Why did she need them? And most important of all….

Why was it a secret?

She was terrified she was more dangerous than people were making her out. Was it so wrong to want to be a normal witch with no extra power or senses about her? Maybe then, if she'd been born that way she could be less cautious when it came to others. Perhaps she'd been born more confident in herself as well if that was the case instead of being to hesitant in the event she hurt someone or worse, someone found out her secret.

The killer of it all was that she hadn't been born a normal witch. She was powerfully dangerous and stayed away from others if she could (those pranksters not counting). Slowly though, Lyra was becoming more comfortable around others (it helped the boys dragged her to breakfast in the Great Hall and made her sit with all those, hold back a shudder, people) and trusting too. She just hoped whatever the charms were for they didn't ruin any of that, it had become precious to her. Lyra knew she would cherish every memory…

Well almost every memory, if she could just remember that piece that was missing! Frustrated she kicked at the pile of snow cuddling back into the material of her cloak glad she'd cast a heating charm for extra warmth. That was another thing, she didn't know if she liked that the charms messed with her memory. The fifth year wanted to know so badly what she'd done, and why she'd caught the twins staring at her with a look she didn't recognize.

Heaving a sigh she shook her head, her small hands reaching back to pull her hood on her head the fur-line forming a bell shape around her face as Lyra turned back to head inside. Resigning herself to wait (reluctantly, she hated waiting!) Lyra began trudging through the snow she was only mildly surprised to see the shivering form of a house-elf shuffling through the mounds of white. She squinted her eyes, not seeing the familiar wrinkly green tunic of her own house elf, but instead a gray (which she swore had been white at some point) and he looked up with wide brown eyes.

"Dobby!" She recognized, and hurried forward falling to her knees to drape the house elf in her coat. "What are you doing out here?" Lyra questioned withdrawing her wand to do a quick heating charm. The elf shivered but gave her a wide smile all the same. "Beggin your' pardon Lie, but Wicky asked Dobby to deliver a message! " She smiled encouragingly, wincing slightly as he wiped his large dripping nose with his hands (but thankfully it wasn't the one holding the presumed message). "Thank you Dobby, go inside now, yeah? There's no use in you getting sick. " She murmured and he nodded thankfully, and with a sharp snap he was gone, leaving her alone in the snow again. Slowly she rose to continue her walk.

Humming she tugged the midnight blue ribbon holding the scroll together, using both hands to unravel it. Scanning the matching midnight ink she frowned at the reply.

Looks like I have some explaining to do, don't I? Spoke to Dumbledore; the old man's got a port key waiting for ya, so pack your things quick as you like.

All my love…

"Crazy old man…" Lyra mumbled trying to fight the grin that wanted to take hold of her lips. Only he would add in how Dumbledore was older than him. But it instantly died down. Realizing he was sending her home by port key. Maybe this was more serious than she originally thought. Well….at least she got to go home early for Christmas but she had to leave Fred, George and Lee.

Entering the castle she shook her head, the snow melting or falling off of her hood before she pushed it back, hurrying off to the common room to pack. Though knowing Wicky, he was already doing it…

Well looks like all that was left was telling Fred and George, and Lee. Perhaps she should give them their Christmas presents early. She smirked shaking her head. No, that wasn't happening. They would have to wait.

Snickering she could already imagine the large pleading eyes they would give her when she told them about their presents. Shaking her head, she pulled her eyes up from the floor only to stop short, her mouth curving into an 'o' of surprise.

Was that…Lee…and Alicia…and oh…they were snogging…in the middle...of the hall...

The flush took over her cheeks slowly at the couple in the middle of the hall. Pulling her hood down over her face she dived behind a nearby statue who chuckled in sympathy to her embarrassment. "Quiet!" Lyra pleaded even if he didn't take heed.

Behind the heavy emerald tapestry Lyra smacked her forehead. Why was she hiding again? She'd only caught them, and Lee hadn't seemed too worried about anyone catching them if snogging Alicia in the middle of the hallway was any indication. It was her embarrassment that caused her to hide she knew. It had all seemed so intimate his hand cupping her cheek, as her hands twisted into the front of his uniform stuck between pulling him closer and staying where they were..

And now she felt slightly unnerved she'd paid so much attention. But it had seemed too romantic and as a person who'd never been kissed it seemed the prospect of allowing yourself that moment of vulnerability while you connected with another….was very…terrifying, actually. Lyra wasn't so sure she wanted to have a moment like that…

Lie, lie, lie…For someone who was a terrible liar she was doing a lot of it lately...

The tapestry moved and Lee's face appeared, eyes sparking in mischief despite the silly little pleased grin he had on his face. "Hiding from the twins are ya?" He questioned and Lyra snorted shaking her head. "I didn't mean to…" She trailed off her hands gesturing awkwardly with a sheepish smile, because in this situation what more could she do? He only chuckled at her embarrassment holding out a warm hand.

"I know." He said soothingly and she smiled taking the offered hand as he tugged her out as she laughed softly stumbling into him until he righted her. "So…were you hiding from me or your harem?" He teased and Lyra flushed shaking her head. "You…" She said shyly head bowed as she gazed at the hand he hadn't let go off, instead he swung it wildly between them until she laughed and tried to tug her hand free. "Lee! Come on.." But he ignored her with a cheesy smile.

"Watching me were you? Don't the twins give you enough attention?" Lee snickered as she groaned pulling her hood back down over her red face with her free hand. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?" Rolling his eyes he stopped and carefully tugged her hood up. "Nope, it's too good." They smiled, turning back to walk to the common room, their hands slipping free.

Lyra glanced up through the fur line of her hood. He seemed happy, she noted taking in the spark that hadn't left his eyes and that small dreamy grin was back as he seemed a million miles away despite being right next to her (he was probably still relieving the moment). Genuinely happy for her friend she allowed the walk to continue in companionable silence, letting him dream.

"I've been after Alicia since the Yule." Lee broke the silence, glancing down at Lyra who blinked in surprise at the admission. "She said no to being my date you know, had to take some other bird…But I didn't give up. Sometimes patience pays off…" He said with a casual shrug, but Lyra was shy not a fool; that had been pointed. The conversation was shifting and Lyra was being dragged along knowing Lee wouldn't allow her to bolt.

"Sometimes patience pays off." Lyra echoed quietly with a half shrug before looking up at Lee with a small smile. "Some of us are lucky that way." And when Lee stopped and looked at her searchingly, Lyra knew they weren't talking about him and Alicia anymore. Now wasn't a good time to talk about her doomed attraction to Fred and George. Even if attraction was, the small watered down version of what she felt for them.

"Yeah…" Lee agreed shoving his hands in his pockets to rock back on his heels, keeping his own dark eyes locked with hers.

And this time Lyra looked away first much to her chagrin. How could she meet his gaze when she knew what she wanted no one else to know? That was the one secret she wanted to keep under lock and key. But Lee was observant, too observant in her opinion now, for his own good. Being best friends to the twins he was probably used to seeing girls fawn over him and his friends.

"But luck is easy to find, especially when we pick the right person…or people." He corrected with a chuckle shaking his head pulling out a hand from his pocket holding it out in offering again. Lyra slumped in defeat shaking her hood of her head the hood sliding from her damp tresses. So he knew then, had she been so obvious?

Instead of connecting it she smiled shaking her head with a small forced laugh. "Then you are certainly lucky. I'm sure Alicia knows who's she's caught." Half teasing, half-hearted silent plea to change the subject, which she desperately hoped Lee would understand. And from the flicker of his eyes he understood the pleas she was silently making, but refused to listen.

"Changing the subject again, rabbit?" Lee questioned softly as Lyra took a step to pass him. Freezing in response she squeezed her eyes shut, her chest tightening slightly at the name she'd only allowed the twins to use having given up correcting them. "Not changing the subject…" Lyra corrected keeping her voice just as soft, glancing down at the hand still outstretched to her. Taking a chance she slipped her hand into his. "Just letting it die. That subject is one I can't have come true."

"Because you're dangerous?" Lee mused cocking his head to the side and Lyra rolled her eyes. Why when he said it, he sounded as if it were the most illegitimate reasoning he'd ever heard. "There is nothing wrong with telling him." Him? Telling him? She snorted and gave him that sad bitter smile she'd perfected and Lee could plainly see why it twisted Fred and George up. She looked so frail and haunted; Lee wondered if it was more than a simple crush that had Lyra reveling in the time she could spend with the twins. Because Lee could see the hourglass behind her eyes, the sand would run out just as Lyra believed her time would too.

He pulled her closer wrapping her in a tight hug, letting his cheek rest against the top of her head. She bunched her fingers into his cloak. "Him? Don't be daft." Lyra sniffed shaking her head as she rested her forehead on his broad chest. "It's both of them. " Pulling back, she met his eyes hers carrying that extra sheen of moisture. "Both of them…because how could I chose?" She whispered and Lee stared silently shaking his head. "Why would you have too?" "I wouldn't, because I'll never tell." Lyra murmured moving to pull from his arms and Lee allowed it because he was still frowning from the heartbreak she was feeling without really experiencing anything good from the heart.

"Never say never." Lee practically sang in his head but didn't dare say it out loud. Feeling ice slide over her heart in panic she gripped his sleeve staring up at him terrified as she bubbled up frantically. "Do they know?" Already dozens of ways to avoid them filled her mind, even the last resort of transferring..

"No." Lee said soothingly brushing his knuckles across the back of her hand gently. He didn't know if they did or didn't (sometimes those tricksters were hard to read even for their best friend) but he knew a panicking rabbit when he saw one. Wanting to change the subject he tugged her back, slipping his arm across her shoulders. "So…if you ever tell anyone we gossiped like a couple of birds at a slumber party I'll have to get revenge."

Ah there it was. Lyra thought giggling as a large wicked grin settled on his face. He looked every inch of the Chesire cat's slightly manic grin, so she had to nod her head replying willing herself to forget Lee's attempt to change the subject. "I can keep a secret, your rep is in no danger. Though I may have to mention it to Alicia she may reward you if she learned of your sensitive side.." Lyra teased and Lee barked out a laugh. "Alicia already likes the sides of me she's seen." And he added a suggestive wink just to see a blush blossom over her still to pale cheeks. Satisfied she was returning to normal he continued. "So where were you rushing off too, common room?"

"Oh.." Suddenly the note felt heavy in the pocket of her robe and she withdrew it staring at the wrinkled parchment. "Yeah, I have to go pack." To leave, going home a couple of days early to find out what was going on with her and why her grandfather thought it necessary to have her house-elf spell her while she slept. Hm…Fred was right, that did sound wrong.

"Pack? Little early for that, innit?" Lee questioned with a teasing grin poking her small nose. "Trying to get away from us so fast, huh?" Lyra scrunched her nose, batting his hand away as they walked toward the Fat Lady. "No, my grandfather called me home early I need to talk to him." She explained and Lee paused nodding in understanding. The twins explained about the charms too. And honestly he was just as worried and not about his safety, it was more about Lyra. Now that he kenw the little bird, he wasn't so sure he would let her go. Friends only though, he really really didn't feel like going up against Fred and George.

'Not that it would do much good...' Lee concluded glancing at Lyra again who seemed oblivious, rereading her note. "Well, I guess I could always write to you instead." He sighed in a mock exasperated way and Lyra jumped looking up at him in shock with those large doe eyes he'd been charmed by.

"W-write to me? You want to write to me?" Lyra gasped feeling giddy again as she shifted from foot to foot. He wanted to write to her? Over vacation? She internally squealed and tried to stop herself from doing so outside too. Friends did that, didn't they? Excited she beamed at Lee's amused expression as he nodded in confirmation. "Yes, write to you. We're friends….and I want my present." He teased cuffing her under her chin gently. "Of course you can…but you have to wait until Christmas to get it." Lyra told him coyly and Lee pouted. "Fine, devious bird, I'd be proud our teachings were doing so well if you hadn't been using them on me." Lee pointed out turning to the Fat Lady who stared expectantly eyeing Lyra closely.

"You're the one they've all been chatting about lately aren't you?" Lyra stiffened, oh lovely. Now the paintings were talking? Besides her even Lee looked between ready to defend her and burst out laughing. "Why am I so interesting? Surely there are other people in this old castle!" Lyra snapped back only to cover her mouth but Lee patted her shoulder approvingly. "Sizzled Lizards!" She whispered and the Fat Lady sniffed raising her handkerchief. "Correct….these young ones these days.." She muttered to herself as Lyra scurried pass Lee following behind her with a suspicious cough. Suspicious her ass! She knew damn well he was laughing mentally at her and thinking up about a dozen more jokes.

The sight that greeted them wasn't completely unexpected in a way that the twins were involved. But really who entered the common room, expecting to see several first years laying dazed on the floor, George over one with a piece of parchment and a quill, while Fred stood nose to nose with Hermione Granger.

This would end anyway but well….

"Oh yeah? Says who?" Fred asked narrowing his eyes at Hermione as she huffed. "Says me and Ron." Lyra was almost afraid to enter the room. She could practically see their aura's clashing in a violent inferno. But Lee didn't have any such qualms and tugged her further inside. "Oi, Leave me out of this." Ron piped up from where his eyes were carefully trained on the chess board before him. He was smart not to meet either of their gazes and she silently applauded him.

"Oh real nice Ronald, we have a responsibility-" "You don't have to live with them." Ron muttered moving forward his pawn, cringing when Hermione huffed in response before turning back to Fred.

"If you don't stop testing on first years-" "You'll what?" George drawled lazily, apparently finished taking notes as he looked up expectantly. "I'll write to your mother." She said sharply, and both boys stared at her in blatant disbelief, even Lyra cringed at that. She'd heard the Howler she'd sent Ron back in second year and knew no one wanted to cross that momma bear. Not even her own children.

"You wouldn't!" Fred accused pointing at her and Hermione lifted her chin defiantly. "I would." Lyra frowned at them. She knew the twins were a testing their products to perfect them and she hoped they had everything ready to counteract any…surprises they may meet. But perhaps she should step in, draw their attention away?

It didn't seem like a huge mistake at that moment…

"Fred, George…what's going on?" Lyra asked hesitantly, stepping further into the common room Lee close to her side like some sort of bodyguard. Which she appreciated, Fred and Hermione looked ready to draw their wands. All three whipped their heads around to face her, the boys paling considerably at her appearance while Hermione was gaining an oddly triumphant smile.

"Rabbit…" Fred greeted weakly as George glanced back down at the knocked out first years, Lyra cocked her head to the side in confusion. Lee on the other hand was a bit peeved. "You started testing without me, prats." Lee said accusingly as he wandered over to George, snatching up the parchment to read it over. "Wait…I thought he wasn't suppose to turn green." Lee muttered to one of the boys on the floor. George shrugged in response. "Too much moonstone." "Nah, moonstone wouldn't make him green git." Lee argued slapping the parchment in his hands. "It must be the mint." George rolled his eyes smacking his friend upside his head. "Of course I know it's the mint, git."

Lyra shifted uncomfortably under Hermione's gaze in the meantime. Fred moved closer and before Hermione could pounce (because she had this glint in her eyes like a crazed feline and Lyra really didn't appreciate being the mouse) Lyra wrapped her arms around his waist unconsciously. Fred, pleased by the action, wrapped a secure arm around her shoulders.

"Lyra! Surely you understand my place." Hermione said, putting her hands on her hips staring her down.

Well at least she didn't pounce. Lyra thought with a sigh of relief, stiffening and glancing up slowly to see Fred beaming down at her. Why, she had no idea, but she liked how his eyes brightened in pleasure from the simple affection so she returned it with a shy smile of her own. Only to see Hermione scowling at Fred fiercely.

Damn did she have to be so intimidating? The supposed 'brightest witch of our age' (a title Lyra was not ok with, what constituted someone to be the brightest witch of the age? Granted she wasn't vying for the place but damn…why don't they just say our generation is full of idiots? If the brightest witch was staring her down then Lyra thought it only fair to name herself the most dangerous witch of the age!) was staring her down as if she'd been the one testing products on first years.

Believing it was best to claim innocence about the situation Lyra only maintained her confused look. "Honestly, I don't even know what's going on…" She must be getting better at lying if Hermione actually began to explain it!). Then again she'd had a lot of pointers from the twins who declared one of their best friends (one of the happiest moment she'd had) needed to know how to tell a good, believable story on the spot.

Stories she was good at creating, Lying was on a whole different scale.

Or not, Lyra thought almost pouting (she wouldn't dare) when Lee buried his face in the parchment to keep from grinning, George was developing a suspicious cough and the tremors she could feel from leaning against Fred's chest weren't from her touch (she could dream though

"As a prefect it's our job-" She shot Ron a pointed look, who stared pointedly at his chess board. And everyone doubted his intelligence; Lyra thought he was being quite smart. "To watch over the younger students and make sure that nothing harmful happens to them." Now her cinnamon eyes were staring very large holes into the twins and Lyra wondered if they cast a protego from the fireballs she was surely throwing at them. At least Lee didn't bother to look up, smart, smart coconut scented wizard. "Testing their silly-"

"Silly!?" They gasped, their dodger eyes darkening at the insult. Even Lyra was a bit offended by that as she stiffened, though she placed a calm hand on Fred's chest (deep breaths Lyra, it was not a good idea to swoon when there was something important going on). The twins products were brilliant! Genius actually and just because they put their brilliance into something most believed was simple didn't mean it was any less brilliant. They had candy that turned you into a small, yellow, singing, canary.

Enough said.

"Products are harmful! Look!" Pointing to a first year who moaned, looking a little green as he clutched his stomach, Hermione only stared back at her as if to say 'see'. Lyra shifted nearly glaring at the twins. Why it is every time she spoke up someone was there glaring at her for something the twins did. It wasn't like she could control the crazy carrots from doing something mischievous. It was like asking Peeves to be nice and watch Mrs. Norris while Filch and Umbridge had a date in the Gryffindor Common room. It wasn't going to happen.

And suddenly she felt sick. Oh great Merlin in the sky, why the hell did she just think that!?

'Kill the visual, kill the visual..

"I don't think…they're breaking any rules." She began once the nausea passed, though she glanced at George; he'd read the rule book enough to know (but apparently not the section on dress, she thought wryly). George shook his head in confirmation. Hermione narrowed her eyes. "So you agree they should test their products on first years!?" Lyra frowned shaking her head. Goodness was she ever going to get a chance to explain or was she always going to be cut off? "I didn't say that. You should be looking out for everyone. And Fred and George are always careful in testing their products. And Lee usually helps. I'm sure they had everything under control. " She said and Hermione scoffed in disbelief.

Lyra frowned straightening out and drawing her dignity close as she fixed her cloak around her shoulders. What was her deal? Lyra couldn't figure it out, yes it was probably frustrating for the prefect when Fred and George were testing on first years, but she'd seen the flyer on the board. They were promising two Galleons and clearly stated they were in the testing stages. It was their own fault, really. Fred and George might be slightly reckless, and a bit eccentric when it came to their ideas but they were always careful in their testing. Why couldn't anyone see that?

"George, I know, knows several healing spells. It would be enough for them to get to Pomfrey if anything goes wrong. And technically they weren't breaking any rules." Lyra continued in their defense, flushing as the Fred discretely ran a hand along her back, Lee winking conspiratorially as George gave her that sweet smile. She turned her gaze back to Hermione who looked flushed as well, but more from irritation than anything.

But before Hermione could think of a proper response to that, Wicky appeared beside her. Lyra smiled moving to kneel beside him, the bushy haired girl forgotten momentarily. But if Lyra had been paying attention (which she really should start doing, every time her back was turned something happen) she would have seen Hermione's eyes widen as Fred moved to their test subjects, George casting a couple of healing spells and the first years, dazed, dusted themselves off and held out their greedy hands for the coins.

"Alright, alright greedy buggers.." Fred muttered digging in his pockets for the gold.

"Bags all packed Lie! Wicky' will meet you in dumbly's office." He said with a bob of his head, his green eyes staring up at her pleading for approval, which she gave with a quick pat to his head. "Good job, I'll see you in a bit." He gave her that wide giddy grin of his as he nodded snapping his fingers.

Standing she dusted her knees off turning only to have Hermione in her face.

Honestly did she really need to sit down everyone at Hogwarts and tell them that yes, they could talk to her without being two inches from her face.

"Ohh look Freddie, Grangers about to snog our rabbit." Fred smirked widely and turned to Lee. "Got the camera ready?"

Lee pulled it out with a solemn nod. "As if I'd ever leave without it after you two prats glued it to my hands..." "Hey mate; you're the one who forgot it when we set off those fireworks in Snape's office." George pointed out with an unrepentant smile. "Yeah, they died his hair blonde! How could you forget to record such brilliance!? Black mail for years down the drain!" Fred abolished smacking Lee upside the head. "Watch it!"

Hermione ignored them looking at her intently. 'Was that your house elf?" Taking a step back Lyra nodded her head cautiously. Why did she feel as if she should have stayed outside? Didn't Fred (or George?) mention something about Hermione being obsessive about house-elves? "Well, technically I suppose…" She admitted flinching as Hermione took a step to match hers. "Techincally? He is or he isn't. He isn't a school elf, I know all of them…" The bushy haired girl declared and Lyra whimpered looking over. "Geo.." Hermione was getting just plain scary and Lyra knew this was one of those occasions it was alright to call the twins. While Hermione didn't present any physical danger, it was making her edgy and nervous to have the girl in her space for such a long time. So calling to George, who was closer, seemed like a damn good idea. Especially when he gave that deep chuckle and swaggered over to them, gently pushing Hermione back a few steps.

"Granger, back off. Wicky is a freed house-elf, he works for Lyra's family. And no…she doesn't want to join in S.P.E.W. Now, we need our rabbit. Seems she's got a bit of explaining to do."He said grabbing Lyra's hand as she sighed in relief willingly going with him. She was still curious about this S.P.E.W everyone was talking about especially when Hermione was beaming at her in approval after George's explanation. But not if everyone was going to crowd her about Wicky.

Obviously they'd caught Wicky talking about meeting her in Dumbledore's office as George led her out in the hall with a lazy call back to Lee and Fred. "Gred, Lee!" Lyra blinked in surprise as they sauntered out the Fat Lady looking triumphant for some reason. 'Gossiping portraits..' Lyra thought sourly, quickly distracted as Fred took her free hand curling it around his arm. Smiling shyly through her lashes she questioned. "W-where are we going?"

Fred sighed loudly in a way Lyra recognized he was only joking. "Well some little rabbit forgot to tell us she was leaving today. We had to find out from this nutter." He said with a wink, jerking his thumb back toward Lee who cried out indignantly.

"I only found out a while ago…I was coming to say good-bye…" Lyra pointed out softly smiling at them both, and if she tugged them closer to her it was only because she would miss them and not because they always seemed to throw off a comfortable heat and she loved being in between them.

And she would not repeat that thought for sake of her poor heart and mental state in case her thoughts went a little further with just walking between them.

"Will you write to me?" Lyra asked shyly pausing and jumping to stand in front of them, searching their eyes hopefully. Lee had already agreed to do it, it wouldn't be so suspicious for her to ask them to write her, friends did it. So it was safe.

"Well I don't know…" Fred teased, elbowing his twin who grinned mischievously. "I don't know why we should.." George joined in and they both turned waiting expectantly for her answer. Lyra sighed; of course they would use this time to go with operation rabbit. It didn't have a fancy acronym like Hermione's S.P.E.W organization but the name worked.

It generally meant the twins would be flip and Lyra had to make a smart ass comeback. It was another thing she had to do if she was going to stick around the twins, the three troublemakers had declared during one of their lunches in Myrtle's territory.

"Because I'm a gorgeous bird and you should feel…honored and privileged?" Lyra said squaring her shoulders as Lee gave a thumbs up. Her lips twitched as she added. "And if you don't…I'll hold your Christmas presents."

She waited a breath for their approval as they stared at her blankly. But soon enough they broke out into wide grins. "Ohh Forge, we've done well here." George nodded in agreement stroking his chin. "The response was haughty and just a bit wicked well done, pretty rabbit." He cooed reaching out to brush his fingertips across her cheeks which lifted as she smiled glowing from the praise, Lee noted with a snicker.

"Of course it was." Fred said taking all the credit as he wrapped an arm around her. "We're wonders at converting people; it's like working with Ginny all over again! They learn so quick!" He cheered and Lee nearly smacked himself in the forehead. He narrowed his eyes, how thick could the redhead be?

Lyra for her part stiffened immediately in his hold. Did he just…oh...he did…Fred just…compared her to Ginny. His little sister. Fred Weasley, one the two she had a crush on, just compared her to his sister. She took a ragged breath, her nose stinging as she willed her eyes not to fill. Well, didn't she tell Lee earlier some people weren't that lucky? It wasn't so bad…he hadn't rejected her, neither had George who noticed her pale look and was trying to get her attention. But all she could see was his mouth moving but couldn't hear the words.

There was no rejection. There was no rejection. But instead of comforting her, it really just made things worse, didn't it? There was no need for rejection when Fred viewed her as a sister. Oh god…he viewed her as a younger sister. Someone to teach and look after. Well why didn't he just Avada her while he was at it? That might be less painful. Pressing a hand to her stomach she tried to keep her breath even, as she locked eyes with Lee who looked angry and concerned for her. He met her glassy eyes reluctantly and all she could say with her eyes was 'see?' If anything the broken look fueled the fire. But to was too late

She had to get away. Now.

Because if the first tear fell, Lyra wasn't sure she couldn't stop the rest of them from falling as well. "Lyra, my name is Lyra. And..I'm…I'm not your sister." Lyra said in the harshest voice she could manage, which was weak and raspy as she tried to keep her sobs at bay, pushing away Fred's arm and bolting toward the headmaster's office despite the worried calls and protests of the three behind her.

"Damnit Fred!" George and Lee snapped together before Lee turned to George in surprise. "What are you mad for?" But Fred continued to look bewildered. "What just happen?" He demanded, though his eyes pleaded with his twin to explain. George was easily the more intuitive of the two, he would know what Fred's mistake was.

"You compared her to Ginny, Fred, Ginny! Our baby sister!" George pointed out with a sigh, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. Fred gaped. 'I didn't…" Lee and George both tossed him a look of disbelief that had him reviewing the last bit of the conversation.

"We're wonders at converting people; it's like working with Ginny all over again! They learn so quick!"

Fred swore quickly pushing a harsh hand through his hair. "I didn't mean it like that!" "Well obviously that's how she took it." George snapped back and Lee narrowed his eyes. 'Am I missing something here?"

But the twins only glanced off to the side guiltily. Lee frowned glancing back and forth, realization dawning as his jaw dropped in surprise.

"Merlins saggy drawers, you both know!"

Lyra gasped as she landed in front of the great staircase, right in the middle of the hall by the large front door of the Mackade mansion. Sighing she wiped her eyes one last time more out of habit than anything. She'd cast a few spells to clean herself up before she'd subjected herself to Dumbledore's all-knowing gaze once he'd handed her the old comb that served as her portkey.

Wicky beamed, glad to be home as he waved his wand allowing the trunk to follow after him unaware of his mistress' inner turmoil as Lyra watched him go with a sad smile. Shaking her head she smoothed down her robes and moved to walk toward her grandfather's library where the old man was normally found either reading or doing business with other wizards of the world.

What she did not expect, however, was to bump into one Lucious Malfoy as she ducked into the hall.

Staring up into his cold eyes as he sneered at her, Lyra wondered briefly if the universe was out to test her today. Even though she knew Malfoy had some odd business arrangement with her grandfather, Lyra had never actually had to talk to the horrid man. And seeing him before her, Lyra was grateful.

Straightening she inclined her head in proper way softly greeting the Malfoy Patriarch knowing this conversation, no matter how brief, would be entirely unpleasant. And she hoped she could stay strong enough throughout it.

'If only, If only...'