In the many times in the future I would replay my first year at Hogwarts, I was still so surprised how I managed to push everything into the back of my mind. After Kat and I were reunited with the others for a well-deserved emergency meeting, Harry confessed that his scar hurt the same time we found the figure.

That was enough proof for me that it was You-Know-Who we'd seen in the forest, and it total honesty, it set me on edge. While Kat and I didn't know the finer details of our mother's experimentation—it was obvious the end goal was for us to be weapons.

So, the question was: if the figure was You-Know-Who, did he recognise who we were by our golden and black eyes?

But the days drifted on by like a gentle sea breeze, and since we knew Fluffy was safely guarding the stone I allowed myself to think about our up-coming exams.

We were giving anti-cheating quills for our written exams, and Cassie was extremely interested in how they worked. She was tempted to cheat to see what would happen, but I reminded her she'd probably get kicked out. Hastily she stopped discussing the matter.

I was worried about failing exams, but there was somebody else I was worrying about failing. Elijah. I'd revised to the extreme with him—three hours the day before the exam—yet I was worried about him.

After our potion exam (which I confidently knew I'd passed) I waited outside the classroom as all my classmates hurried past, chattering about the exam. Elijah was the last one out, his face impassive.

"So?" I asked nervously. "How did you think it went?"

His impassive expression suddenly broke, and he burst out into a wonderfully toothy smile. "You, Lyra Black, are one clever bitch!"

"Oof! Oh wow—" Elijah lifted me up under my armpits and clumsily span me around the hallway. "You're grateful!"

"Of course, I am!" he was still smiling, and I realised that like Kat, while he didn't smile often his smiles were golden. "I was so worried I'd fail—end up with even smaller, annoying kids!"

"I'm only a year younger than you!" I went on my tip-toes, wishing I was taller.

Elijah rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. In the last few months he seemed to have ditched the ridiculous shaved head look. His natural black curls had appeared like little springs over his head. He looked less intimidating.

"Well... you act a lot older than me," he sounded faintly embarrassed. "I was such a twat the start of the year. I don't know what was wrong with me."

I grinned, pulling my rucksack onto my back. "Listen—people can change, you know. Character development is a thing. That's why I took a chance on you."

"Huh," Elijah looked thoughtful as the two of us began walking. "Do you reckon your hot sister would take a chance on me, if I asked her out? Or does she not like a younger man?"

I snorted, Elijah was hardly a 'younger man', he was only a year younger than my sister. Guility, I gnawed on my lip. Sasha was infatuated by Cedric, but had yet to let on her feelings... But looking at Elijah, who used to be so horrible and troubled with a skip in his step and a smile, I couldn't tell him he didn't have a chance...

"Go for it," I said firmly. "What's the harm?"

"Maybe, your dad will break out of Azkaban and break my hand for asking his precious eldest daughter out?" Elijah said, but he didn't say it unkindly. Was he having banter with me?

"Ha," I said dryly. "As if, nobody's ever broken out of that place."

Elijah shrugged. "Sorry—I have a warped sense of humour. Anyways—see ya!"

He ruffled my hair everywhere and disappeared down the corridor, humming, the torches on the wall flickering to life as he hurried past.

**

Pleased I'd most likely helped Elijah passed his exam—and maybe become a better person?—I settled into the exams with a new resolve to try my hardest. The exams flew past in a flurry of ink-stained hands and charming a pineapple to dance.

Our final exam was History of Magic, but I couldn't concentrate properly. Fred had agreed to meet me outside the classroom, so we could talk like we promised. My thoughts kept going to how he'd react, and whether my breath still smelt of garlic bread from lunch, so much that I mucked up the last half of my essay.

We all cheered when Binns said we could put our quills down, and we all hurried to the massive pile of rucksacks to get out into the sunshine as quickly as we could.

"Coming down to the lake with us?" Kat asked as she swung her bag over her shoulder. "I packed some lemonade in my bag for us to have."

"I'm meeting up with Fred," I said shyly. Ron and Harry made vomiting noises, Cassie beamed at me and Hermione wished me luck. "But I'll find you all after."

"Make sure he's respectful," Kat said solemly, patting down a section of my hair that was sticking up. "And don't let him stick his tougne down your throat."

We all laughed at the serious-ness in her voice, Cassie even letting out a funny little squeak as we exited the classroom. Fred was lounging against the opposite wall, and his eyes lit up at the sight of me.

"Hi!" he said brightly.

Ron scowled at me. "You're not going to say hi to your younger brother?"

"There's plenty of you," Kat's lips quirked into a smile. "He's only got one Lyra."

"You've got that right, Kat." Fred grinned. The girls started giggling, and the boys rolled their eyes again. "You ready, Lyra?"

Nodding eagerly, I said goodbye to my friends and followed Fred. He held out his hand to me with a puppy-dog expression. Without a word, I took it and squeezed it.

We didn't start speaking until we were out on the grounds and found one of the many willow trees by the lake. Fred took his jumper off and laid it on the ground like a picnic blanket for us to sit on.

"How did your exams go?" I asked. "I know you were worrying about the potions one."

Fred shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Probably could have done better. But George and I won't need to make boring boil potions. We're going to make our own joke products one day."

"That sounds like fun," I leaned on his shoulder, and almost automatically he put his arm around me. "You should make something to make people sick, so they don't have to go to class."

Fred looked thoughtful. "I'll write that one down. How as the History exam?"

Looking at a ladybird on the grass, I confessed. "I couldn't concentrate properly. I was thinking about you."

"Oh." Fred frowned. "But I don't want you to mess up exams because of me! You're super-duper smart!"

Smiling, I took a deep breath. Now or never. "I know I hurt your feelings at Christmas. I didn't mean to. I just... read this. Then you'll get it." I thrust my father's letter into his lap.

Fred read the letter twice, lightly tracing patterns on my shoulder as he did so. Just like over Christmas break when I read him the Ruby series, I couldn't gauge what he was thinking.

"Oh golden girl..." his voice was gentle. "You were that worried about me getting hurt?"

Looking down at my hands, I nodded. "I couldn't bare if anything bad happened to you because of me. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I know it was shitty of me to lie to you, but I was just so worried... I don't know what sort of people are going to be after me for my powers and—"

Fred interrupted my rambling by kissing me.

The kiss was urgent, but soft at the edges. He wanted to be careful with me—but not because he thought I would break under his touch. He touched me like I was something precious that you handled with care, something you were afraid to lose.

"Umm...." Was all that I could manage when we finished kissing. "So, I guess you forgive me?"

Fred smiled so much that I could see dimples in his freckled cheeks. "There's nothing to forgive. You were trying to protect me. I get that. But I want to protect you. Not in a sexist, women-can't-do-anything way, but—"

"You're the one rambling now," I pointed out, bravely holding onto his hand.

Fred stuck out his tongue at me. "You knew what I meant. But we can protect each other—that was my point. It's not as if you-know-poo is lurking around the school!"

We both giggled, before Fred's expression morphed into something somewhat serious. Oh no—what was it?

"I was thinking that we should get to know each other better before we rush into anything." he said slowly.

"You didn't need to get so serious!" I exclaimed. Now I turned shy. "I'd like that. I mean... we only ever briefly talked before Hogwarts started."

Fred nodded and began playing with my fingers. "I'd like this to go somewhere special. There's no rush—we're only twelve and fourteen after all."

"Yeah, I mean what if you didn't like chocolate?" I giggled and squeezed his hand lightly.

Fred looked left and right before he whispered, "George doesn't."

"Oh my god!"

"I know I'm ashamed he's my twin."

I sat cuddled into his embrace for a fe minutes, comfortable in the silence before I had an idea.

"Right I'll start this getting to know each other thing! What's your favourite colour?"

Fred looked thoughtful for a minute. "Blue."

I practically felt myself light up. "Mine too!"

Fred kissed me lightly on the cheek. "You're so cute."

Struggling not to blush I thought of something. "So I know we're taking it  time, but like.... are we dating? Or could I snog Elijah if I wanted?" I teased.

Fred took the bait and pulled a face. "Oh my god no! Yes, we're dating you annoying sod. Only kiss me!"

"Think he's into Sasha anyway," I shrugged. "He's like the annoying brother I never wanted."

"Ooh, drama!" Fred rubbed his hands together. "It's like a muggle shampoo opera.

Surprising him and myself, I kissed him. It was clumsy and I accidently bit his lip, but we were both smiling like idiots.

Things were looking up. I felt safe, warm and loved. That was all that mattered in the end wasn't it?

**

Sadly, Fred had to leave half an hour later to meet Lee after his Muggle Studies exam, but we arranged to hang out the next day and I agreed to read him the second Ruby book ('The cursed Ruby').

Taking things slow and chilled was the best think for us. I was practically glowing as bright as my eyes when I found my friends under a shaded willow tree.

Kat was doing a complicated plait in Cassie's hair, while Hermione was trying to go over the exam with Ron who looked half-asleep. Harry looked concerned, which was normal.

"Hello!" I said brightly. "Enjoying the sun?"

So, you and Fred made up? Cassie held her notebook up and made kissy faces. Took you long enough.

Ignoring the blush I could feel crawling up my neck, I nodded. "Yeah, we're taking things slow. There's no rush."

Ron shuddered. "You and my brother... it's weird Lyra."

"You're weird," Kat resorted for me. "You've been staring at that chocolate frog for ten minutes now. I've counted."

Ron looked hurt. "It's too nice to eat! It's the last one from Christmas..."

"Didn't realise you appreciated my presents so much," Hermione said coyly over her text book. "I'll have to get you more next Christmas."

Flopping down next to Harry on the grass, I nudged him. He was oddly silent and was rubbing his forehead. "Hey, you okay?"

"I wish I knew what it means!" he burst out, tearing some grass out from the ground. "My scar keeps hurting, all the time now!"

"Go to the hospital wing," Hermione suggested.

"I'm not ill! I think... it's a warning." Harry sounded ominous, and my stomach flipped. All feelings of euphoria from the day evaporated into nothing, being replaced by anxiety.

"Harry, the stone is safe so long as Dumbledore is here." I tried to be calm, but my voice faltered. "We've been checking, Fluffy is still there. Please, try not to worry..."

Harry nodded, and was silent. Ten minutes later as I delved back into the first Ruby book, Harry suddenly leapt to his feet like he'd been electrocuted.

"What's the matter?" Ron said sleepily. He'd finally eaten the chocolate frog and was half-asleep.

"I've got to see Hagrid!" Harry declared, and ran off.

Ron and Hermione went after him in pursuit, while I stayed with Kat and Cassie. The surprise had ruined Cassie's new braid, but Kat didn't look as fussed as Cassie did about it.

"Whatever he's realised, it's not good."

**

It really wasn't good. Harry, Ron and Hermione returned ten minutes later all with grim expressions on their faces. Hagrid had told the stranger who gave him Norbert how to get past Fluffy. Which could mean that the stranger was the hooded figure in the cloak.

"We have to tell a teacher now," I pleaded. "We're totally out of our depth."

Harry nodded eagerly to my surprise. "We'll find Dumbledore—he'll know what to do."

We gathered all of our bags up, and hurried towards the castle. Standing in the cool hallway, a respite from the heat, we were now without purpose.

"Does anybody even know where his office is?" Kat asked. We all exchanged guilty looks. "What a great plan this is."

Before we could think of who to ask, a familiar face appeared in front of us. It was Professor McGonagall. "What are you all doing inside? It's a beautiful day—enjoy yourselves!"

"We have to see Professor Dumbledore," Cassie said firmly and audibly, even if her voice was hoarse. McGonagall was so surprised that she dropped her books. I glowed with pride at how brave Cassie was. "Now."

"I'm very sorry, Miss Malfoy." McGonagall was still clearly shocked as she gathered her books. "But Professor Dumbledore has just left the school."

"He's gone?" Harry's voice sounded very small. "Why?"

"He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic," McGonagll frowned. "I'm sure it can wait."

"It can't, Professor." Kat said, jutting her chin up confidently. "We believe somebody is going to steal the Philosopher's Stone."

McGonagall almost dropped her books again. "I have no idea how you all know about this—but forget you know it! The stone is perfectly protected and shall stay so until Professor Dumbledore returns."

Harry went to open his mouth, but McGonagall gave him a hard look. "If I catch any of you near the forbidden corridor, there will be consequences."

She headed off up the stairs to the classrooms after giving us all one stern look, we waited in silence until she was out of ear-shot.

"Maybe we could write to Dumbledore at the Ministry, convince him to come back early?" Hermione suggested, looking worried. "We can't just leave it."

"You're right, Hermione." Harry said slowly. "We can't leave it. I bet that Snape sent that owl to Dumbledore—get him out of the way. It has to be tonight."

"For what?" I asked wearily.

"We have to go through the trap door," Harry said. "We have to save the stone."

**

The plan was for us to converge in the entrance way at half past eleven, and all make our way to the trapdoor under the cloak. Harry protested at us all coming but was quickly over-ruled.

The whole evening crawled past and my heart was beating so irregularly that not even playing my favourite violin piece could calm my nerves. We had no idea what we would find down the trap door, and I had no idea how to prepare.

Kat was quieter than usual, pouring over her text books and making notes for spells that could be useful. Around quarter past eleven, she disappeared into the common room and returned with a glass.

"I got a calming draft from your sister, take the edge off." Kat sat down on the edge of my bed. There was a strange look on her face. "You can't go through the trap door being this nervous."

"Thank you," I said, taking the glass from her. "It's just the fear of the unknown I guess."

Tipping back the glass, I drank over half of it before I realised something. The blue draft smelt familiar... I'd revised enough with Elijah to recognise it for a sleeping potion!

"Katherine?" the room was starting to turn sideways, my eyes growing heavy. "Why?"

Katherine grabbed me by the ponytail and forced the rest of the potion down my throat. In my weakened state, all I could do was squeal as I choked on the thick blue liquid. Everything was blurred on the edges as she laid me down on the bed.

"Have to help..." all I could see was Katherine's black eyes. "Please..."

I could just make out Katherine pulling a cloak over her jumper. "Your power is too important, Lyra. If it really is You-Know-Who.... You shouldn't be anywhere near him. I should.... Maybe my power could do something good for once."

"Katherine!" my voice was weak, and all I couldn't keep my eyes open. "Don't—"

"Now I'm being noble." Katherine said firmly, and that was the last think I heard before I fell into the potion-induced sleep.

——-
A/N  Sorry for the wait! I'm on holiday in Turkey atm, it's great here :)

I have really good wi-fi and have already written the next chapter so it'll be up soon!