Oh...this chapter took me forever to get right! The ending anyways. Don't worry, in the beginning the explanation is suppose to be a little jumbled. Give Lyra some time people! She'll push through.

Now I hope you all enjoy...

Disclaimer: As evil I am...I still haven't found a way to own Harry Potter. So...I don't. Its sad and I don't like it, but it is what it is!

To be a Gryffindor

Perched on a fresh bed, cleaned up and in a fresh uniform (though her tie wouldn't sit right at the base of her neck anymore because of her stupid collar) she held a tray up in front of her squinting her eyes at her reflection.

She bit her lip, tilting the tray to get a better angle. She really wasn't one for vanity but curiosity burned deep because she wanted to know how she would look without the charms. Her grandfather said Wicky resetting the charms made her look human, but she wasn't sure what that meant.

Whenever she used her powers before she'd gained her tri-colored eyes, pointed ears and fangs. That had usually been it. Though even Veela's could appear human, she supposed. Frowning Lyra took inventory, silently hoping she wasn't half veela because she really didn't want a beak…

Even through the filmy reflection of her tray/mirror substitute she could see her dark void eyes staring back at her. Her round face surrounded by waves of dark brown that dipped three inches or so past her shoulders. Along with her small nose that instead of being turned up slightly at the tip was rounded slightly, from there were her lips that could be considered no so much wide as they were full.

Lyra guessed she was alright, her appearance had never really mattered before and she couldn't stand make-up (the smell or the feel on her skin) so she kind of…just accepted whatever she'd gotten. It didn't stop her from being curious. What would be different? She wondered if she'd still be the same after all?

Damn her curiosity!

Did the charms hide ears? A tail? Could the charms even hide a tail? An elephant trunk or a pig's nose? Was her skin really purple or bright orange? Did she have an animal form like an Anigamus? Or did she sparkle like an odd fairy? Maybe webbed feet instead? Merlin! There were way too many combinations to think of! Especially when she didn't have a single idea of what her other half was! And her grandfather wasn't giving any hints.

Pursing her lips she was thankful the voice in her head didn't add any of his commentary. Though she got the feeling he had actually taken her advice and gone to sleep.

Thank Merlin's fluffy beard for small favors. She really, really didn't need his silent commentary when she explained what she'd done to the twins. Cringing she lowered the tray, putting it off to the side. She acknowledged that Lyra would also have to explain why she'd done it to just them and hadn't included Lee as well. And it sure as hell wasn't because he had a girlfriend either, which meant….

She'd have to tell them how she felt.

Groaning helplessly she threw herself down on the bed, smothering herself with a pillow only to huff and turn her head fingers playing with one of the corners twisting it absently.

It wasn't as if Fred and George didn't already know how she felt about them. Her cheeks burned recalling the memory of the last D.A meeting. Oh they knew alright, and last night? She was silly and drugged up childish in most of her actions but she'd made no secret she'd adored them.

Wincing Lyra nuzzled the sterile white pillow, rubbing her cheek harshly to get her to stop thinking. This wasn't exactly possible because her mind was running quicker than Salazar Slytherin confronted with eye-brow wax.

But it wasn't as if they didn't know. And while there was no real need to say how she felt out loud (pending explanation aside) this was going to be more for her piece of mind than anything, if she could gather the words –no, sorry- the courage to gather the words then Lyra knew she'd be alright. They could reject her, or laugh at her (she really hoped the latter wasn't going to happen!) but she would have been able to tell them without the help of a potion or sickness. To them it would probably mean nothing but to Lyra it was important to do this for herself.

If it wasn't for her intolerance to that potion though, Lyra knew for damn sure she would have never needed to do this. She would have been quite content to live and let live. To go around pretending to be oblivious to the fact they actually knew how much she adored them. Would they? Lyra wasn't sure. Both, in the past, had seemed quite content with female admiration. And while yes, she did like them, and yes, she had done something incredible stupid last night Lyra didn't want any more than friendship from them.

Dreaming and reality of a relationship with one or both of the twins were vastly different. As much as she wished and hoped (no matter how much Lyra tried to convince herself not to do either in regard of George and Fred) she had to beat it down with the dangerous reality. Her secret couldn't be kept forever (it seemed like someone new was finding out every day) and she'd rather not have them suffer repercussions because of a romantic involvement. So it was best not to do anything about them.

Lyra really, really needed to stop lying to herself. While all that was a valid-ish point, they were just excuses (she could admit that in the back of her mind). But that wasn't her real reasoning to ignore her feelings completely. The bottom line was: she was terrified. Positively terrified of what their reaction to her words might be. And honestly who was ever gung-ho (Lyra frowned her nose wrinkling slightly in distaste, she was never using the term gung-ho again) about telling crushes their feelings? Well she had it twice as bad; literally they were twins and her first human friends. She liked their friendship it was a new experience one Lyra wasn't entirely positive she'd give up willingly, dangerous hybrid or not, even for finally telling them she liked them as way more than friends…

It had to be done though….right?

'Right..' He murmured in her mind sleepily, causing Lyra to jump and look around wildly before scowling.

'Go back to sleep…' 'How can I sleep when you're thinking so loud?" He purred slyly and she shuddered feeling a warm touch against her cheek as if he'd brushed a hand carefully over the skin.

'I'm nervous.' She admitted to the pervy voice only because he was still just a voice in her head and he couldn't exactly tell anyone.

'Way to make me feel loved, little one..' Obviously reading her mind again he chuckled, a dark erotic sound that had her more glaring into space than swooning.

"Then go away..' But she had to admit he had helped her relieve some of the tension thanks to him distracting her from her thoughts.

'If you need a distraction, little one, how about a riddle?" Lyra rolled her eyes before closing them, curling her legs up closer to her body as she snuggled up to the slightly stiff pillow. "Is it the same one you always give me?" She questioned wearily.

A beat of silence.

"It might be…." He admitted slowly his voice colored in arrogant male amusement that would normally have set her teeth on edge if she wasn't so use to it by now.

"Then, no." Lyra muttered out loud knowing the freaky voice could hear it. "I think I'll pass. Because you're going to ask me the same riddle again at 3 a.m aren't you?"

She smirked lazily when he didn't reply. "Thought so…" She murmured only to sit up as the door opened admitting two angry-looking Weasley's. They were back! Inside she purred in delight as they walked closer after slamming the door closed. Shaking herself for the thought she tugged a piece of her hair to clear her mind.

"What's wrong?" Lyra questioned immediately sitting up the rest of the way allowing her legs to dangle off the side of the bed.

"Umbitch, that's what's fucking wrong." Fred growled, stalking over shoulders hunched as his fists coiled and flexed out as if he was fighting the urge to grab his wand and find Umbridge himself. Then again, he probably was. George was scowling just as fiercely his dodger blue eyes shifting to a dark storm color his jaw clenched tightly, stopping himself from speaking though he was in full agreement with his twin.

"Did she catch you? Give you detention?" Lyra asked worriedly from her perch, biting her lip. Great, as if she didn't have enough problems, what had the Hogwarts Pink Horror done now? She better not have given them another detention. The side of her that was more animal-like growled dangerously inside her at the thought. No way were Fred and George being tormented by that damn quill again, they already had enough scars from it!

"Worse. Her and old Fudge-bucket kicked Dumbledore out last night. She's now headmistress." George muttered finally unlocking his jaw though his face twisted up in disgust as he hoped up on the bed across from her stretching out crossing his ankles and his hands behind his head. Lyra's jaw dropped in horror. "They didn't!"

Fred nodded frowning as he sat on the same bed as his brother. "They did. Apparently they were gunning for Harry but nabbed Dumbledore instead. Ancient prats. They're just sore because they don't want to believe you-know-who is back and kicking." The more vicious of the twins growled.

George scoffed. "Yeah well, soon they'll have no choice but to acknowledge it cause we all know you-know-who's got a hard on for our dear Harry." Lyra cringed at the imagery, her cheeks red as Fred guffawed several times much to his twin's satisfaction. Fred winked at Lyra. "Wonder how our lil Harry's going to take it." The double meaning was not lost on her at all.

Lyra gaped and threw her pillow at them as they cracked up. "Guys! That's not right." Fred easily caught the pillow promptly handing it off to George, who stuffed it behind his own head both wiping away tears of mirth from their rust colored lashes. "Relax rabbit, wonder boy can handle himself." It was true, he could but Lyra didn't want images of old Voldemort lusting after Harry like a desperate…she didn't even have a word. Snakes weren't desperate as far as she knew…but she supposed it could happen.

"And don't think we're out of the woods." George cautioned as Lyra stared him down questioningly. Now what could that mean? "Apparently…" Fred continued with a drawl withdrawing a folded piece of parchment bearing his name. "Umbridge wrote to all the D.A members. We're all under watch for suspicious activity…what bollocks. We have big plans for ol' bridgy anyways….we're not letting any of this stand."

Lyra frowned, her fingers nervously playing with her tie. Merlin, she was in the D.A as well! "Did I get one too?" She asked hesitantly. They nodded with sly grins. "Well love-" Fred began and Lyra fought off the extra strong urge to turn into a cherry. "You did get one but like mine…" George said dramatically laying the back of his hand over his forehead. "It went up in smoke…" He finished with a mock sorrowful look.

"Kind of like this…" Fred purred tossing the note in the air drawing his wand quickly casting an 'incendio' and Lyra watched in somewhat morbid fascination of the parchment burst into flames. "However that happened, I wonder." Lyra muttered dryly crossing her arms and raising a brow.

"I slipped and dropped it in the fire-place in the common room." George said with that sweet boyish grin that had Lyra ducking her head to stop them from seeing her answering smile.

"Now, I believe we came here because-" George began promptly, shifting so he wasn't lying flat on his back as he had been but lounging on his elbows.

"How did Umbridge even know about the D.A to begin with!?" Lyra questioned frantically, practically shouting in her panic to put off the conversation she really didn't want to have for a few precious seconds.

"Marietta Edgecombe, you know that friend of Cho's…" George began arching a brow, oh yeah he knew what she was doing and she also knew he wouldn't let her distract them for long. Lyra brushed her bangs from her eyes nervously as Fred snickered cutting him off. "Don't you mean…Cho..." He teased, waggling his brows suggestively as he pretended to push up his glasses like Harry did. "Right." George nodded in amusement continuing. "Apparently she turned traitor. But don't worry, Granger got her with this brilliant jinx, apparently we signed a jinxed paper, then we slipped her a couple of our products that will certainly get the message across…"

"I knew it was jinxed." Lyra said somewhat smugly, her lips curling up at the end. Oh yeah, her nose was awesome! "What? And you let us sign it!" Fred squawked in mock anger. "Yeah, rabbit, way to look out." George continued the charade shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"Oh…yeah. I um…smelled the jinx on the paper that day in Hogsmeade…" She revealed hesitantly. It would be weird to someone else to hear she'd 'smelled' a jinx. It wasn't as if magic itself carried a distinctive scent. But her nose tingled if she came into contact with a magicked object, in this case the D.A sign-up sheet.

"You smelled it!?" George asked incredulously causing her to lower her head in embarrassment, shaking her head in agreement. "You can actually smell magic?" Fred asked intrigued and Lyra smiled secretively glad she'd distracted them from the real reason of why they were here. "Well no, but my nose tingles in a certain way when I come into contact with an object that's been hexed, jinxed or enchanted. Usually my nose only tells me if the magic around the object could later become harmful to me."

They nodded in understanding. Then George let out a large gasp. "Freddie! We're letting her throw us off track! We came here for a reason." He reminded his brother in that slow drawl, his eyes sparkling in mirth as Lyra sighed. No, of course they wouldn't let this go. Fred answered his brother with a solemn nod. "You're so right Georgie" (Godric's beard he so did that on purpose! She had to remember that for later if she ever needed to work up the nerve for revenge) "How could we ever forget? I really want to learn more about my new tattoo, naughty, naughty rabbit." Lazily they held their hands up to show off what they meant as Fred wagged a finger at her playfully.

"Care to explain now?" They drawled in unison this time and Lyra covered her face with her hands. "Do I even have a choice.." She groaned as Fred let out an over cheerful "Nope." Making sure he popped the 'p'. "Yeah, Love, you promised." George reminded lazily as he sat up to sit next to Fred on the bed instead of lying behind him.

Lyra frowned and looked down at her legs swinging out lazily taking a shaky breath, pushing down the curl of nervous energy she had bubbling inside her wanting her to move so she wouldn't have to stay in one place and possible embarrass herself, even if it was inevitable. "Well when I was…drugged (there really was no better word for it, Lyra scowled giving a brief mentally curse to Poppy) it seemed like a good idea at the time…" She muttered lamely raising one shoulder lazily.

"And it's not exactly permanent. It'll fade tomorrow or so I think….the end of the week at the latest. My magic…I mean when I bit you I just…." She looked up to see Fred waiting patiently with George giving her an encouraging smile. She calmed down and squared her shoulders trying one more time. "My magic branded you when I bit you. " She slid from the bed and walked over to them her hands up and fingers wiggling as she motioned for them to hand over their hands.

They flipped them over, and Lyra for the first time saw her mark on their skin. It gave her a small rush and under different circumstances she might have did more than just explain the mark. "Because technically I claimed you both as possible mates for me when I decided I'd like to mate…er…or the equivalent of a wizard wedding only more binding." She struggled slightly to explain.

"So we're your….fiancée's?" George tried to clarify, his brows furrowing slightly to meet in the middle as he tried to get the piece of her puzzle to fit accurately. Lyra tilted her head allowing her eyes to drift to their marks that marred their middle fingers (and Lyra was certain there was an irony in that as well).

George's mark was colored silver, the small four symbols of ancient script flowing down his finger. She could read it easily with her enhanced eye-sight though the silver only seemed to add a slight shimmer to his already pale skin.

"Speak for yourself; I don't have a ring on my finger." Fred winked playfully as she glanced up in surprise at George's word choice. Lyra giggled softly and shook her head.

Fred's was different. Despite containing four ancient symbols on his skin, they were different from George's meaning, when translated, they said something different. Instead of silver his markings were electric violet the shade mimicking the color that outlined the silver of her eyes when they 'flickered'.

"In a way, I suppose you could say that." She mused looking down at their hands again before releasing them watching the twins study their hands. "But it's not that simple I'm afraid, it's not like when you give the person you love and ring and that's the end of it. This is different, more instinctual…you know I'm not exactly…human, right?" From their nods she relaxed slightly. "My family we're more….animal-like, I guess is the right term for it…"

"Sounds kinky..." Fred said with a sly grin and Lyra's lips twitched. "Freddie…now's the time to listen." She scolded playfully remembering she'd said the same words before when explaining some part of her. "That's why you have such a good sense of smell. " George declared with a nod. Lyra beamed nodding her head. "Right."

"So…what do our new fancy temporary markings actually mean then?" Fred questioned, tracing the letters over with interest. It wasn't like a tattoo or a burn mark, and despite Lyra claiming her magic had branded it; the skin was not raised up. In fact the markings were fused in his skin as if he'd always had it.

"Patience." Lyra chided gently and sighed, why was this so hard? Shifting she backed up and nervously played with a lock of hair. She was getting dangerously close to that topic she really didn't even want to discuss. Hell she didn't even want to discuss this topic, but she really wasn't getting a choice in the matter. "They mean…they mean you're…you're both…well…mine." She stuttered nervously.

Obviously they hadn't been expecting that answer as their eyes widened and their jaws dropped. If this wasn't such a weird conversation, Lyra might have actually laughed. It wasn't often someone pulled something over these boys, being pranksters and all that.

"Yours?" That was a marvelous Lyra-squeak impression they had going there. This time she couldn't help but laugh aloud as the two people she never expected to shock squeaked and looked comically stunned by her admission. Her admission. Fearing disappointed was felt because on some animal level they belonged to her (however temporarily) the laughter died away and she frowned all at once trying to reassure them, her hands up as if she wanted to reach out and touch them but thought better of it.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to, but I was drugged and my self-control was nonexistent and you both smelled really, really, good. " Really, really good didn't even come close to how good they both smelled. Especially now when her collar didn't even bother to dull down her nose in the slightest the scents were powerful all spice and musk, seductive and heady, she wanted to beg and plead just too maybe cuddle between them and just breathe.

Yeah, as creepy as it is, they smelled that good.

"So I couldn't help myself because I recognized your scents and I knew who you were so it seemed like such a good idea-"She was stopped mid-rant by both pressing their fingers to her lip. The fingers she'd marked. Lyra whimpered softly, slowly raising her eyes to meet theirs as they finally withdrew their fingers.

"So…" Fred drawled leaning back on his palms, lounging lazily. He cocked his head to the side before the corner of his lips curled up in that wickedly lazy smirk of his. "Thought about marking us before, have you, love?" He crooned.

Lyra licked her bottom lip slowly her eyes dragging up his torso because that vest he was wearing over his white button down really did nothing but stretch a bit two perfectly across him. "W-what?" Was her intelligent reply, before she shifted from foot to foot trying again despite how nervous she was beginning to get. Well…maybe not nervous exactly…

George grinned sweetly, shaking the fringes from his bangs from his eyes as he leaned forward reaching out to curl two fingers in the sleeve of her Gryffindor sweater and tugged her closer. She was too busy watching his eyes shift to a soft baby blue to do much else than follow his direction. She'd always liked the subtle seductive edge George had. He knew his effect on the witches of the world but unlike Fred, who was lounging with that wicked smirk knowing she would check him out, all he had to do was give her that sweet smile and a flash of his eyes and she was melting quicker than the wicked witch of the west confronted with a bucket of water. She'd probably call herself pathetic if she didn't enjoy it so damn much…

"You said your self-control was nonexistent. We just figured it meant you'd gotten the urge to mark us before." He murmured gently combing his fingers through her bangs and she flushed. Oh she'd thought about biting them a few times in all honesty. But marking them? That was a different Quidditch pitch altogether. "You have, haven't you?" George mused quietly and Lyra kept silent mentally cursing his skill at observation. Why didn't he just say they already knew how she felt? Wouldn't that be less painful for her!?

"So then it's here to let other people know we belong to you? I still think it sounds rather kinky, rabbit." Fred drawled but Lyra was already shaking her head. "It um…it does more than that. " "Like what?" George questioned and Lyra shuddered pleasantly before backing off. She needed her head cleared if she was ever going to get through his explanation.

"Well its only half-finished, so it only works one way." "Half finished?" They questioned curiously and Lyra nodded her head smiling slightly from the familiar sound of their uniformed voices speaking at once. "It works both ways. In order for a complete link, the bite would have to be returned. But it doesn't always work like that…"

"Why not?"

Lyra bit her lip, deliberating. Letting out a sharp breath of frustration she gripped her hair in her hands turning to hop up on the bed behind her and huffed pulling her legs up on the bed angrily. "Rabbit?" They questioned in concern.

She shifted, swinging her legs off the opposite side of the bed facing the far wall and not the twins. "I'm sorry." She apologized regretfully biting her lip as she resisted temptation to look over her shoulder at them. "But if…" Her lip quivered as she drew in another shaky breath. "If I'm going to explain this…I can't look at either of you. I just can't okay? I don't.." 'I'm not strong enough to say these things while facing you..' She finished the thought in her mind with a heavy mental sign. Always the coward.

Never a Gryffindor..' A small voice in her head whispered and Lyra swallowed thickly playing with the hem of her skirt again.

"Alright, I keep dancing around the subject. Let me just start from the beginning, alright? It'll make more sense in a minute." They murmured in agreement and she relaxed staring at her half of the room. It wasn't much better because she knew they were there. But it relaxed her enough to speak freely without their eyes and subtle teasing gestures to drive her to distraction.

"A court mark is…unique to my family I suppose. At least, as far as I know." Lyra corrected herself. "We usually concentrate a bit of magic in our um, fangs when we bite which was how the brand appeared. The um, biter gives the one they pick a unique mark that's said to represent the biters soul. So their intended can carry a piece of them…I'm not sure why yours are different." Lyra added as an afterthought. She was taught her mate would get one mark, her mark. Unique to her and only her. There was only one Lyra, which meant even if this was a bit of a fluke, Fred and George should have been given the same mark.

"Anyways, um...right. So, the mark isn't permanent, like I said, it was made as a failsafe incase during the um...engagement, if either party change their minds. If that happens, when the mark fades everyone goes on with their lives and no marriage takes place. "Falling back on her studies, and thankful the boys behind her remained silent, Lyra shifted into a comfortable place. She could relate everything she learned.

"The mark makes us equal but only if you have it. That's what it's made for, because my family is incredible powerful and not exactly human, the potential to hurt our husbands or wives is great especially when we're plagued by animalistic urges. Since you both carry my mark now, you're both unaffected by my voice if I tried to use it on you. I can't intentionally harm you physically, either. " Lyra added twisting her fingers together, listing the things she knew about the mark. "I can also feel your emotions to lesser extent. Only things you feel strongly about and only if I look for it."

"But the mark can only be made if…" Breathing in and out for several long moments Lyra curled her hands into fists. "Rabbit?" They called out quietly and she shook her head vigorously. "Give me a second…this isn't exactly easy for me." Understatement, one big, huge understatement on her part.

"Alright…promise me.." Lyra hesitated for a moment. "Promise me that neither of you will say anything about what I'm going to say after I say it. You can't use it for ammunition. Or anything like that. Please, promise me."

"We promise." They chorused so readily, Lyra snorted. What did they think she was born yesterday? "No crossing your fingers either. This is important to me. Please?" Twin sighs of reluctance sounded from behind her. "We promise." They said again though more subdued and she relaxed slightly.

"The mark can only be made If…you like the person you're biting. Like them as in…you know, attraction, affection…deep emotion. That type of like. If I bit Lee last night, nothing would have happened because I don't feel anything other than friendship for him. But you two…." She sighed and ignored the shaking of her limbs as she slowly turned around bracing herself to look at their expressions, only she didn't have the will yet to open her eyes.

"Well you know." She finished softly shrugging. "No…I don't know a thing. How about you Fred?" George said quietly and Fred shifted on the bed next to his brother. "Not a thing George." He murmured in agreement and Lyra snorted.

"Why us?" George asked after a small beat of silence. "The usual reasons?" Fred asked just a tad bit scornful as he and George listed them off. "We're twins?" "The bad boys?" "We play Quidditch so well?" "You want to be the one to figure us out?"

Lyra snorted. "Is that what they usually tell you?" "It varies." Fred shrugged lazily even though she couldn't see it.

"Earth and Fire…" Lyra mused before shifting and lying back on the bed slowly before opening her eyes to stare at the ceiling. "Fire and earth? I could never choose you know?"

Staring at the ceiling she smiled slightly, she could almost pretend this was one of those nights where her heart influenced her mind as she hid behind the drapes of her bed toiling, thinking, and dreaming of both Fred and George until the point she was sure they were simply a fairytale.

"Freddie, Freddie, Freddie hot as a raging fire and just as dangerous…" She purred softly, contemplatively, closing her eyes to pretend she was alone in her musings. "Always so quick to reach for your wand with even the slightest hint of an insult, you never ever let anyone get far enough to. You enjoy it, I could always tell. You like being somewhat untouchable, feared almost as much as you like making people laugh. You're the first one everyone in the room notices because you love being the center of attention. It's not just a need; you enjoy holding an audience knowing they'll hang off your every word. It's a powerful feeling." She mused to herself shifting slightly to bring her knee up, crossing her leg over it as she continued, and her fingers playing with her tie more for something to do with her hands to expel her nervous energy. "But it's not just the jokes and the entertainment value you offer…you're so confident, Gryffindor through and through and everyone knows it. But you're positively wicked at times, Freddie, and I like that about you. "She sighed pleasantly running a hand through her bangs. "Cruel and devilish, something of the rouge about you mhmm….you can see it when your eyes go all dark and cold when you get that wickedly sinful smile on your mouth…."

"But Geo, oh Geo…" Lyra murmured rolling on her side, closing her eyes again so she didn't have to face them just yet. She curled into herself, hugging the pillow deliberately plucking the corners as she smiled slowly. "You love the spot light as much as Freddie does, but you have a such a presence; even without the spot light. All that quiet confidence, watchful intensity that have people looking after you and Fred in awe, I would know I do it too." Biting her lip she sighed rubbing her face against the rough pillow. "You balance Fred so well, always willing to reel him in. Benevolent even when Freddie's got something to prove, but you do it on purpose don't you? You give them a taste of what Fred can do because you know in the back of their mind they know you're just as dangerous, a silent subtle warning. Subtly suits you just as well as being loud and flashy do. And you wear it so well with that sweet smile and then your eyes shift and their not that gorgeous dodger blue anymore but a soft baby blue and I like that. How that sweetness hides that intensity you throw off. Fred may wear his emotions out loud without care but your slightly more careful. Something about you just screams illusive danger. "

"But together! Oh, together!" She sat up excitedly, almost opening her eyes as she beamed, probably looking like an idiot with a large grin and her eyes closed. Not that she cared at the moment, Lyra was on a roll. "Together you're absolutely brilliant. I mean at more than just magic, too. You feed off each other's energy and can always keep us from being brought down to depression and the utter dullness of reality. You both create this world where anything can be possible, where anything is possible. Dreaming, laughing, just wishing seems so much easier when you're both around. And that's what you want; the dependency people have on you for it, to give people the chance to see this world for them knowing you could take it away on a whim. But you both keep your distance, keep them guessing because neither of you believe anyone will truly grasp the world you've created, like how everyone confuses the two of you, you want them to tell you a part but at the same time you don't, so you give them small pieces, a tease of it really, through your pranks and inventions…."

Silence filled the hospital wing and Lyra slowly realized she hadn't exactly been censoring her words. Though her words had been more analytical in nature, Lyra hoped she'd gotten her point across and hadn't sounded like the, no doubt, many other witches who'd confessed to the twins. Had she done something wrong? Was there even a proper way to confess? Lyra had no idea; she'd just…started talking and hoped they would keep their promise not to use her botched confession to make fun of her later.

She flushed and ducked her head squeezing her eyes shut. Oh, Merlin, she was stupid. Really stupid! Why did she have to do these things? Could she run? Oh damn it she should just run while she had the chance. But to run Lyra knew she'd have to open her eyes. And if her eyes were open Lyra knew she would chance a glance in their direction. So more or less she was trapped.

Fan-frickin-tastic.

"Say something?" Lyra whimpered out pathetically. Silence didn't suit the twins at all. Hadn't she made that clear enough? It was nerve-racking.

"What do you want us to say?" George asked quietly, from shock or something else Lyra wasn't sure and she was trying to ignore the cues from their scents.

"What can we say to that?" Fred corrected in the same tone and Lyra bit her lip. Oh this was a bad idea. The whole thing, right from the beginning was a bad idea. Fred and George always had something to say. They were never at a loss for words, playful or cruel. So what did that say to her?

She didn't exactly know and it wasn't a comfortable feeling. So she took a breath and opened her eyes, and automatically wished she didn't when she caught their expressions. Or lack of expressions. They were staring at her blankly; their lips in a form of neutrality Lyra though only Percy had mastered and their eyes were sparkling or dull they were just…blank.

"Lyra-" It was serious if they were switching to her given name. "No please." Lyra said softly, closing her eyes again clasping her hands tightly over her eyes. "I changed my mind, don't say anything. You don't have to reject me. I.." Her throat was closing much to her horror and her eyes were stinging despite her determination not to cry. And she wished she was stronger, so much stronger, so she didn't have to worry about bursting into tears when things turned down hill. "I haven't asked for anything more. I won't ask for anything more. " A breath through her nose to clear the sting she pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth to swallow before getting the nerve to speak again.

"I was just explaining the mark, like I promised. I had to promise. I can't lie to the one- ones holding my mark. You're both my equals, which was why grandfather answered your questions. But I'm sorry, so sorry, because you didn't know what I was doing. I'm sorry I couldn't stop myself. I never wanted to mark anyone unwillingly, but I can't seem to do anything in the right order." She laughed softly shaking her head. But they were still silent and watchful, contemplating and no doubt sharing thoughts between themselves as they regarded her quietly.

"Rabbit…" Someone said quietly and she felt their long fingers curling around her wrists. "Rabbit, open your eyes." "No…" Lyra whispered and continued sliding off the bed ignoring their tugs to her hands to pull them from her face. "And I think its best that I stay away for a couple of days. Because the mark is dependent on my magic and…" Her lips quivered and she licked them hoping the pressure of her tongue would help. It didn't. "And my feelings to strengthen it with physical contact…I need to stay away." She repeated quietly and finally they pried her hands off her face.

"Open your eyes." Fred commanded quietly. "No." Lyra repeated strongly.

"Please, open your eyes, pretty rabbit.." George tried and she felt his hand ghost over her head, giving a comforting stroke.

"I can't." Lyra breathed shaking her head. "Not yet. I can't…I just…I just can't. It's irrational and stupid and I already hate myself for it but I can't face you, either of you, yet. Please understand…" It was quiet for a few moments. And Lyra had no doubts they were staring at each other over her head silently communicating. And then they were both at one of her ears, breathing softly until Fred spoke softly. "We'll play it your way just this once pretty rabbit. Only this once." And then he dipped his head further down to press his slightly chapped lips to her cheek allowing them to linger for a bit before he pulled away.

"Only this once…run, rabbit, run…but just this once." George said in agreement mimicking the movements of his brother as his lips lingered on her cheek.

Did they have to be so understanding? Give into her wishes so easily? Though Lyra acknowledged she wasn't actually giving them a choice. They swaggered unhurriedly to the door as if giving her time to change her mind, but they all knew she wouldn't. So when the door closed she breathed easier and opened her watery eyes that had shifted to her Minstrel eyes in her emotional distress she fell back on the bed with a soft moan of anguish curling into herself.

"You did well, Lyra. Very well. You told them, you told them without any help from a potion or a bad reaction to charms that weren't reset on time." She cooed to herself mentally hugging her wrist to her chest comfortingly as she stroked the skin that had the words from the horrid quill etched on her hand. "No matter what they say, or don't say, or do, or don't do…that's something to be proud of." Lyra assured herself softly as she pulled her legs as close to her chest as possible trying to stay warm. "Took a lot of guts….and nonexistent courage..." A watery laugh escaped her. She was proud of herself despite having prepared herself for any and all reactions. Not that it did much good. She was such a unGryffindor, whatever that could mean to her mind at the moment.

Squeezing her eyes shut she shivered, frowning slightly about why she felt so…cold suddenly. Though opening her eyes she met with Peeves silvery ones. "Peeves." She said sitting up and the ghost pouted mockingly. "Lie! Been looking for you, silly rabbit! Even hiding from your own best friend! Replacing me with Weasels of all things!" He crossed his arms and legs, floating in the air above beside her as he tilted his head causing the bell on the end of his hat to jingle. "They're not as fun as I am!"

"Oh Peeves…" She smiled sweetly and tilted her head down shifting her eyes back to normal knowing he preferred their void color despite the red around the white of her eyes. "I'm sorry. I've been…." Drugged? Emotionally drained? Which would work best here? "…sick." She nodded to herself. Best summary she guessed. "Sick!? Deathy sick?" He questioned childishly his cherub like cheeks puffing out as he grinned. Lyra blinked in surprise. You know, sometimes she swore he actually did want her to die so her ghost could stay at Hogwarts with him all year round…

This was Peeves too so she could only speculate. "No, lemon head." She grinned feeling lighter as she hopped off the bed. "Not deathly ill." He pouted and stuck his nose in the air. "Then I guess your better now….right?" His eyes flickered down questioningly.

"Oh yes…much better now." Lyra agreed and beamed. It was true. She felt so much better, still emotionally vulnerable and a bit wary about when she would see the twins again. Lyra was also a little annoyed that Umbridge for kicking Dumbledore out making herself headmistress. Hm…Umbridge…

Cocking her head to the side, Lyra smiled slowly and if she could see herself she might even describe it as predatory almost slightly feral, pure animalistic huntress. She'd just thought of a way to hit Umbridge and protect Fred and George from anymore detentions…oh right and the rest of Hogwarts as well. And who better to do it than the most dangerous thing at Hogwarts and her best friend? She felt liberated, dangerous….like she wanted could be bold and different at least…for the moment.

"Hey Peeves….want to cause some mischief?" She called with an impish smile and Peeves hopped up and danced around her happily. "Oh! My, my, my! My rabbits joined the darker side!" Peeves hollered happily giving a rooster call as he did so. Lyra laughed and as he grabbed her hand, spun readily around once. "Food first. I still need to eat…"

But Peeves let out an impatient noise and dropped an apple in her hand. "Let's go! " He demanded as Lyra hugged the apple to her chest. Breathing in the scent she rubbed her cheek across it with a soft growling purr. "Oh you spoil me…" Lyra muttered biting into the fruit as she followed Peeves out of the door.

She'd have to avoid Fred and George for a couple of days, assuming they still wanted to be friends, but that wouldn't stop her by making up for their lack of presence around her, thus the slightly dangerous prank she was about to pull. Oh…this would be good…

"You'll have to face them eventually, little one…"

"I know that. But not yet, not just yet…."

"Soon then…"

"Oh…very soon…"

"And my name, little one? Have you remembered that one yet?"

"Why is it so important I remember your name?"

A flash of teeth, a curl of black lips into a peculiar sly grin.

"Why don't you tell me?"