Alright so action in the chapter after next, since you all keep badgering me, haha! But I have a surprise this chapter since everyone was so damn curious and everything.

I'm starting to become the master at keeping things a secret, aren't I? Well, soon enough all my…er…Lyra's secrets will be out. Bet you can't wait!?

Until then, love this chapter…

*Also, I've searched for animals that I could substitute foxes with as George and Fred's patronus. Can't find a more fitting one. However….Patronus change after a big emotional upheaval….so, haha.

To be a Gryffindor

Umbridge certainly had gotten a little intense with all the educational decrees. Alright, the old hag had gone positively barmey and unfortunately the students at Hogwarts were along for the seemingly endless ride. Lyra could tell even some of the Slytherin (the ones that weren't complete prats but she still wouldn't trust as far as she could throw) were a little wary. Not like they had to worry, it was everyone else from the other three houses that were under the constant threat. Even with the efforts of the Prankster Trio couldn't keep much of the edge off.

Luckily they had the DA (short for Dumbledore's Army) which while they built an arsenal of spells to pass their O.W.L.s and defend themselves, was a fabulous way to stick it to Umbridge (even secretly). And she was glad she'd been, you know, hood-winked and blackmailed into going to Hogsmeade that day two boys who obviously did not value their safety despite the repeated claims she was and continued to be dangerous.

But Lyra was willing to over-look that this one time. Maybe.

Her head was way too fuzzy anyways to worry about what they thought they were doing the cheeky foxes they were. So when they stood, she swayed into George who steadied her in concern. Lyra only flashed a smile. "Thanks Geo." She rasped softly and straightened out as Harry began his encouragement completely missing the concerned look Fred shot George. Lyra never confused the twins. Ever. Fred shifted uneasily beside her but patted her head all the same and Lee looked worried all three peering uneasily at the hybrid.

They were working on Patronus charms today and Lyra was glad they didn't need partners because with Alicia and Lee being an item (both being in the DA) then the rotation they'd picked up for being partners would be completely shot to hell.

"Right. Well…" Harry began, still nervous despite all the previous meetings to practice his leadership role. Lyra hummed a tune hazily and watched gleefully as Harry relaxed some, squaring his shoulders. "Lyra!" George hissed in surprise and she smiled brightly looking like one of those ditzy smiles that made the red-haired twins cringe. That look simply did not fit on Lyra's face.

"What?" Lyra asked, all at once normal and confused as she looked between them blinking a few times. "Never mind. Happy memories, yeah?" Fred said chuckling nervously and George nodded. "Yeah, have a few of them between us three don't we?" He added with a wicked wink as Lyra blushed but rolled her eyes all the same.

"Give it a rest you. You'll scar some of the younger lot!" Lee called playfully with a small smile but Lyra only yawned rubbing her eyes with the side of her hand, interrupting her scowl. "Yeah, George. Give it a rest." "You're right, Fred, the Mackade heiress doesn't approve." George snickered and Lyra went scarlet and with a moan covered her eyes. Even Lee let out a hearty laugh at that one.

They'd done nothing but toss around her title and make jokes about what she did and didn't approve of since she'd lorded (or ladied, depending on how you looked at it really) the name over Umbridge. If it wasn't so utterly ridiculous of them (especially when Lee joined in) she would have tried to find the courage to box their ears. "Of course not, Forge." Fred said seriously stroking his chin as he simultaneously held his wand the dark stained wood looking about ready to fall from his slim fingers. "Oh, we better stop teasing her." He said mockingly gently poking her forehead. "Tha' Mackade heiress is not amused…" Both laughed and Lyra huffed pushing them gently as Harry made his rounds.

"Fred, George." Harry said amusement tinted with exasperation. "Hiya, Harry." They said in unison with identical winks. "You're turn." Their fearless leader instructed.

Lyra giggled softly only to hear and echo giggle. Turning, she could see Lavender smirking at her, before raising a hand to her mouth giggling. Lyra groaned and moved away only to stop at two silvery blue foxes to blocking her path. She grinned as one lulled its tongue out, the other happily chasing its tail. "Why am I not surprised." She muttered as the twins snickered behind her. The foxes were joined by another animal which oddly enough was a giant river otter,Lee's patronus it seemed, swimming happily in the air around the two foxes laughing at them with a soundless motion of its little mouth. How cute…her eyes glazed over briefly.

"Lyra…" Harry gently tapped her shoulder wincing as she gasped twirling into a stumble pressing a hand to her heart the moment she caught herself. Goodness, maybe more than one person in this place needed a bell. How did he sneak up on her like that? "Yes…yes, Harry?" She stuttered looking up at him through her bangs. She stuttered a bit, but hell, progress! She would do a small squeal later but Harry still had her attention. He gave her that somewhat sexy crooked smiled and Lyra flushed more from the attention that the actually thought of the smile. She was still getting use to other people talking to her but the constant chatter from the twins and Lee were definitely helping her. She'd even had a conversation with Alicia at dinner (she was quite proud despite the boys interpreting her squeaks for Alicia who took it all in stride).

Behind her there was a soft snort. Who'd done it, she wasn't sure, but Lyra ignored it as Harry glanced over her head briefly. "Try it." He encouraged waiting a moment as she gripped her wand and shifted nervously under his encouraging eyes. Truthfully, she wasn't sure she could do this spell.

It needed happy memories right? She could do that. She'd isolated herself most of the time but she hadn't been depressed or anything extreme like that. Happy memories…

Damnit why was it so hard to concentrate. She lifted her wand and closed her eyes ready to cast, flying, playing with Peeves, hanging out with Lee, Christmas when she woke up between the twins, the following day quickly flooding her mind as a few happy memories but they filled her up making her warm enough to clash with a Dementor (Or Lucius Malfoy, who Lyra swore was half dementor!).

Oh…Godrics red beard, she didn't feel so good. And for one blissful second, she was gone. The world flashed black and the universe teased her with one moment of cool, normalcy.

Only to be jerked swiftly back to reality by a heavy hand that feels like it smacked really, really, hard on the top of her head, which isn't exactly pleasant, mind.

Because instead of casting she swayed again, her equilibrium gone as she fell into someone, panting. Well, nothing like swooning into a pair of male arms, she thought wryly. Honestly, would she always draw unwanted attention or was there something different about this year. "Lyra!" Harry said in surprise catching her, only for Fred and George to rip her from his arms looking worriedly as they held her up between them. "It's ok. I'm alright. I'm ok." She panted out cooing more to herself than the boys surrounding her as she shook it off, fine again.

Yeah for the moment until her body decided to flip out on her again. "You're not." Fred protested grimly and George frowned. "I told you we shouldn't have taken her." He sighed and Fred narrowed his eyes, which his brother promptly returned. "Me? You're the one acting like a lo-" George clamped a hand over his brothers mouth. "No,Freddie." George replied pointedly. "That's you. One blush and your done for. Like a marshmallow." George taunted and Fred growled.

"Freddie, Geo. Knock it off." Lyra sighed wearily thankful as Harry helped her up, Lee hovering nearby. "What happen?" He asked, Alicia over his shoulder wielding her own patronus which looked like it was forming to a small bird. "I was sick for a second, it was nothing. Nothing." Lyra repeated softly, her eyes pleading with him. Lee narrowed her eyes and she continued her silent pleas because she so needed someone on her side if Fred and George decided she needed to be confined to her bed. And unless there was a lack of clothing, two gorgeous Weasley twins, ropes and some bitin-And oh Merlin's bearded ghost she did not just think that!

Nope, it happened, she really, really thought that. Ugh…why did they have to be so hot!? Were they made specifically to drive her insane!?

Lyra paused, blinking owlishly. What was wrong with her? And why was she so frazzled and…well there wasn't exactly another word for it was there?

"yra, Lyra." Lee was calling her in concern and she looked up gasping. "Sorry. I'm fine; I just…had a flashback." She deflated at his skeptical look. Was she honestly that bad of a liar? Lyra sighed, looks like Peeves was wasting all those lessons on her. "Right…" Lee trailed off rolling his eyes obviously mocking her terrible lie. At least he was kind enough to do it on the inside...

"Look I want to try again." She pushed them away as they all rounded on her, and their concern was appreciated. "Back off." Snapping, Lyra gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth. If anything they looked even more concerned by her lashing out. There was that damn push again. Lyra pushed a hand through her hair. Was she going insane? "I'm sorry…I…" "It's alright." George said stepping forward and gently reached out curling his fingers gently around her wrist. "You're ok now right? That's all that matters." He soothed using that alluring tone, the one that was deep and smooth that pulled at all the right notes to get her to relax against him. Lyra sighed and nodded. "Right, I'm ok. Let me try again, I really want to know what my patronus is." She said bouncing with excitement energy returning. Everyone else gazed exuberantly at their animals and Lyra really wanted to know what personified her.

'I do.' Lyra almost groaned aloud. 'It's not 3 a.m, and you are not my patronus. That doesn't even make sense. They can't talk.' Lyra mentally grumbled. Damnit, she wished he couldn't talk. Whoever he was, blasted annoying, pervy...

'I'm special..' He purred darkly in her ear, sounding like seduction all over, causing her to shudder. "Or haven't you figured it out yet?"

"You're annoying." "And you're sick, have you figured out why yet?" He asked his cold ghostly hand curling around the nape of her neck through her loose waves.

George nodded in agreement. "Alright." He said oblivious to the internal conversation she was having as he stepped away to give her room to cast, she smiled gratefully raising her wand.

"She uses nonverbal magic a lot..." Lee pointed out curiously as Lyra worked to block them out. 'Yeah, she does…remember that body bind, George? Even after, I've never heard her use a verbal spell." Fred said conjuring his patronus easily, the fox curling through their legs as its muzzle curled into an oddly rakish smile (not easily accomplished on a fox but this was Fred's patronus, after all.) "Yeah, I'm sure it has something to do with her voice…" George muttered absently conjuring his own fox to go after the river otter floating over Lee's shoulder. "Oi, watch it.."

Why couldn't she get this!? She had the happy memories down, the focus but the frustration was eating at her. 'Maybe…If I give you a memory…to inspire your patronus to appear..." The voice in her head offered and she could practically picture the flick of sly silver eyes.

Wait, silver eyes? Since when did she know he had silver eyes? "I've got this." She trembled feeling sweat slick her forehead again and swore to every dead sorcerer she could think of for her not to drop and faint or something of the like.

"Have it anyways….you might enjoy it…" He chuckled and her eyes flickered black, silver and violet again her head dropping to gaze at the floor as if under another's control. "You already have, actually….I took it away…but I think now is a good time for you to have it back…"

(Flashback/Memory begins)

" Stay, please?" It was drowsy garble but the two seemed to know what she was asking.

What. Was. This? She could see herself plainly being carried in and laid on her bed. But she couldn't remember this. But that was her. Lyra knew that, could scent it, see it. How could she be seeing this? It didn't make one bat's tongue worth of sense. And that bothered her greatly. 'I told you...I blocked it out.' The voice rumbled, deep and male and oh so patronizing as he continued. 'You've wondered why you were happy, Lyra, I'm just giving you the why...for your patronus of course...'

Lyra was betting the old man's accent (all of them) this was in no way, shape or form about her patronus anymore. That voice in her head wanted her to remember all of this...

And aren't I just terrified to learn why? She trembled unconsciously wrapping her arms around her middle.

Watching as if she were only the audience, and not willing to delve further into why the voice had such control to do this when she should bee reliving this memory, it was really the only thing she could do.

Oh she felt faint again….kind of like when Lavender first spoke to her…

"Not yet, love." Fred cooed softly that damn fond smile back on his lips.

"Not quite yet." George nodded in agreement, his blue eyes softer than she'd ever seen them as he sat on one side of her bed. "Please?" Another whimper, another whine but they seemed stubborn. "Still something's we have to work out between us two, love" George acknowledged solemnly as Fred nodded in agreement, finishing the sentence. "So we can't stay." She grumbled and they chuckled.

Gently, her face was tilted up by gentle fingers and George questioned idly. "Are you going to remember any of this in the morning?" Lyra sighed and shrugged nuzzling the back of her head into the soft mound of pillows. "Stay..." She breathed to her dream again but they denied her again with soft coos. Fred looked up at George, quirking a brow with a slight smirk as he leaned down brushing his lips across hers (obviously Fred had some Slytherin in him, Not that Lyra would dare bring that up with him in the real world). He smirked challengingly at George who frowned looking down at the girl to see if she woken up. Fred offered him a cheeky grin and another wink, causing George to roll his eyes as he hesitantly leaned down brushing his lips against hers just as softly smirking slightly as he pulled away (And twins were alike in house-sense because apparently George had some Slytherin in him too, wasn't that just a peach? Lyra whimpered faintly).

"Love?" George whispered gently in her ear, and she growled menacingly at the interruption to her sleep. "We don't, you know." He finished softly "Don't what?" Lyra whined, all she wanted to do was sleep!? Why was the world so cruel that she couldn't get some decent rest? The covers drawn over her shoulders now, and a Fred chanced a touch across her skin, fixing the thin straps of her dress brushing his thumb over the warm skin.

"Think of you as our sister." Fred breathed the words in her ear letting his lips skim over the edge of it and their warmth pulled away but not before George could press one to her cheek drawing away enough to allow Fred brushed his lips across her forehead.

(End Memory)

Cliffhangers...ouch... haha, do not kill me!

Update will come soon!

Promises, promises.