Did you see the picture? Lost was ranked 16 in Badboy tag before our story became temporarily invisible. Thanks to the staff for fixing the issue, but we lost reads and ranking.

Thank you all for loving this story so much. It truly means a lot to me.

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Standing in a corner, they kept smiling as she shook hands with everyone who came up to them and congratulated her on her recent success on Dragonpox. Their eyes were twinkling a bit as his hand never left her waist, and his feet remained stuck by her side. This was not even their celebration, but they were the centre of attention of the most.

Somethings never change. Lyla sighed heavily. This is what happens when you have a popular Alchemist father and an equally famous Potioneer mother. Her light grey eyes looked tiredly at her parents - the Riddles. Her parents looked happy and comfortable, but Lyla knew them better. She could see her father's tiredness. She could sense her mother's awkwardness. The hand that her father had around her mother was for the support of both of them. None of them liked making public appearances. And it was not just because of Alexa Riddle's shy and awkward persona.

Fourteen-year-old Lyla trailed her eyes from her parents to another couple - Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Charmed by Narcissa, Lucius continued ogling her intensely. His usual smirk was long forgotten as he smiled at the young woman genuinely who was busy in greeting everyone with words that were coated in honey. This newly wedded couple looked content and happy to be part of the celebrations. (Completely different from her parents.) After all, it was the gathering organised to honour their wedding. Lyla bit her lower lip. She would love a relationship like theirs for herself one day. 

Feeling like a loner, Lyla trailed her eyes toward another couple. She bit her lips to stop her growing smile. Just like her parents, this couple was not so happy to be at the receiving end of attention. They were Abraxas and Evanka Malfoy. Despite it being an important event of their son's life, Mrs Malfoy was gulping fire-whisky in one corner. Her husband, Mr Malfoy, was holding her so that she would not embarrass herslef by falling on her face in front of everyone. Lyla would love relationship like theirs too.

Malfoys were fortunate people when it came to arranged marriages. Lyla tucked a strand of her then red hairs behind her ear. Red strands were uncommon in a magical world, so the girl found them extremely efficient while keeping pure-blood snobs away. Besides, in public, they shielded her identity of being one of the Riddles. She loved her family. She loved them a lot. And her parent's relationship was great and pure and totally one of a kind, but she didn't want to share their hardships. Did it make her selfish? Maybe, but Lyla doubted she had strength like theirs to always fight back. The metamorphamagus girl was lucky to have them as her parents, but she was afraid that she failed in inheriting their courage. Her parents were her inspiration, and her gods, but she doubted that she could make sacrifices like theirs. Ever.

"Flower, is that you?" 

Lyla rolled her eyes and turned around in annoyance when she heard that peculiar voice. The obnoxious owner of that irritating voice was one of the reasons she didn't want to attend that gathering. If not for Sarella's insistence and theatrics to drag her to her brother's important night, Lyla would have enjoyed a quiet night with her own brother Devon.

"Oh, it's just you." 

The voice turned cold as the boy looked over the girl. Expressive Hazel eyes bared his disappointment. A frown etched between his sharply arched eyebrows. A hand that he had in his jet-black hairs for messing them up stopped as he scoffed at her presence. James Potter, a cocky Gryffindor, lived in his own world where he was the only king. 

Lyla raised one eyebrow at him with equal disinterest. Riddles and Malfoys were close. So she didn't believe that her presence was a surprising occasion. Apart from that, Malfoy family was infamous for their obsession of blood supremacy. Why would they even invite a muggle-born Lily Evans to their gatherings? Wasn't it supposed to be a common-sense? She wondered. Potter's handsome looks definitely cost him a lack of common sense, she thought superciliously. Her eyes flickered over his shoulder and landed on another boy standing just behind the boy.

Lyla nodded her head at Remus Lupin. The scarred boy acknowledged her by dipping his head a bit and smiling  softly. She had figured that they were all there after seeing Sirius Black talking with her brother Anton earlier that evening. She was just being an optimistic person and hoping they wouldn't come across her.

James elbowed Remus in disapproval. Remus was his pal. Childish as it was, he narrowed his eyes when the boy merely shrugged in response. Moony was supposed to have Prong's back all the time. Every time.

Taking her chance and scoffing at his immature behaviour, Lyla turned around to leave, but she heard just as she took another step.

"Wait, Lyla!" Remus's voice was warm and worried. "Is Devon here?"

She turned again and smiled gratefully. Unlike Potter, Remus was on good terms with a newer generation of Riddles, especially her younger brother. The elder Gryffindor had saved the youngest Riddle's neck from time to time. And she appreciated him for that.

"No, I am afraid." Lyla smiled. "He couldn't miss his today's Harmonium lesson."

"Harmo- What?" James asked. Curious and ridiculed at the same time.

"It's a musical instrument, Potter," Lyla spoke, exasperated. Her tone was pointed as if she was talking to some child.

James Potter narrowed his eyes. His nose flared in anger. His parents were enough to baby him all the time.

"Riddle!" James gritted his teeth. "I am not one of your little cousins. Don't talk to me like that."

Lyla smirked in triumph.

It was always like this between her and Potter. They were forever at each other's throat. Mischief twinkled in her eyes. She definitely was her father's daughter. She liked riling people up, but for some reason, she loved riling James Potter. It was entertaining to see him about to explode and losing doing just that. All the time. Every time.

"I hate you so much, Riddle." James sighed as he gulped his anger. He didn't want another lecture from his parents because of this girl. She always had his nerves in the palm of her hand. He didn't know why, but her mere presence irritated him.

"I know, Potter," she replied wittily. "My life is incomplete without your hate in it."

 A winning smile on Lyla's beautiful lips taunted James, causing him to grit his teeth.

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First of all... Thank you. Thank you so bloody much for all your love and support for this story. With all your efforts, the journey of Tom and Alexa has crossed 1 million reads on 10th of July. (I am so sorry, I had nothing figured then about the bonus chapter.)

I hope you liked this small piece. I am so sorry for this delayed chapter, I was quite caught up with my other story - Ice and fire (please give it a chance. It would mean a lot to me). I know it's not much, but I wanted to give you a glimpse. Sorry again if it's not up to your expectations.

If you haven't guessed, the conversation between James and Lyla was also in reference to one of the conversations that happened between Tom and Alexa. Alexa did once talked to Tom like a baby. And he hated it. I am sorry, I forgot the chapter number.

Again... Please take care of yourself and stay safe. And please remember...

... no matter who says otherwise. Love yourself!

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Thank you all!!!