I pulled Katherine aside after the teachers sent us off to the common rooms, and we were finally alone. She looked down at my grip on her arm, and up to my face looking worried.

"What is it? You never touch me."

"What?" I was puzzled. "You don't like being touched, you've made that clear since the day we met, Kat."

Hurt brushed across her face for a second. "What is it, Lyra?"

"I saw you. I saw what you did."

Katherine's face was a blank canvas. "Saw what?"

"You killed the troll with your hands."

Katherine carried on walking, brushing my hand off her arm. She wouldn't look at me. "What with my bare hands? You think a lot of me, Lyra. But I'm not Wonder Woman."

"For God's sake!" I hissed, I was losing my patience, which was usually endless. "You're like me, aren't you? That's why your eyes are so dark. Its why you wouldn't stop staring at me the first night here. You know what I can do."

Katherine stopped dead in her tracks. She turned slowly, mechanically. "My Aunt told me there was another girl with a power opposite to mine.... Listen, I don't have as much control over it like you do. I have to work hard to make sure—make sure I don't hurt anybody."

Everything suddenly fit into place, of why Katherine was reluctant to be friends, of why she never touched anybody. I held out my hand to her. "You don't need to be afraid, Kat. I know you won't hurt me."

She took my hand, a smile curling on the edge of her lips, ignoring me using a nickname for the second time in the last couple of minutes. "Maybe you can heal me instead."

**

Having been sworn to secrecy by Katherine to not talk or ask about her powers, it was almost as if Halloween hadn't happened. Almost. One good thing to come from the troll attack was that the six of us were firm best friends, a proper gang like I'd always wanted to have.

Over the next month we had lots of fun together—helping each other in class, chatting and teasing each other on the weekends on the bank of the lake, playing catch and hide and seek. We even had an adventure at Harry's first Quidditch match.

Harry's broom had been jinxed by Professor Snape, and Hermione set fire to his robes to save Harry's life (I fainted when Harry almost died and missed the whole thing) and we'd discovered that Fluffy (ironic name for a three headed dog) was guarding something a person named Flamel knew about.

Christmas was fast approaching, and with all our brain power and library time we'd yet to find anything about him.

Maybe Hagrid was wrong, Cassie looked extremely bored in the library, doodles covering her notebook. Maybe it's not Flamel we're looking for.

"It has to be, Cass." Katherine pointed out as she flipped through another answer-less text book. "Did you see Hagrid's face? He knew he said something he shouldn't have."

Our fruitless research was interrupted by Sasha who burst into the library with a snow-coated bobble hat and red cheeks. It'd started snowing the week before, which had plunged the school into a snowball war. Sasha even got into trouble for bewitching snowballs with Fred and George to hit Quirrell in the back of the head.

"Hello little sister," Sasha was always in a good mood when it was snowing. "Hello little sister's friends. Where's the rest of the gang?"

"In Transfiguration, our Herbology lesson was cancelled cause of the weather," I pointed at the snow flurry outside. "What's up?"

Sasha shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Well, have you decided what you want to do? For Christmas I mean. The form to stay for Christmas has to be given to your head of house by the end of today."

I stiffened in my chair, and Cassie protectively put her hand over mine. While I was excited for Christmas, I was still un-decided as to whether I wanted to go home and see mum. I still wouldn't answer her letters, I was still so upset she lied to me about dad. I missed her, but the thought of the awkwardness and the questions... was unbearable.

"Um...."

"I'd stay with you, but my Auntie wants me home for Christmas. She wouldn't be happy if I missed Christmas Eve mass." Katherine said with her nose still in a book. "Sorry, Lyra."

Mum and Dad want us home too. Non-negotiable. Cassie looked sad as she said it. I'd rather spend time with you than my worm of a brother.

"Well I'll have to go home, won't I?" I said sadly. "You want to go home for Christmas, don't you Sasha?"

Sasha shook her head. "I don't. Mum should have learnt her lesson and told you about dad and who he is. Also, the Weasley's are staying for Christmas. Their parents are going to Romania. Harry probably will as well."

I wavered. The idea of spending Christmas with my sister, Harry, Ron and Fred especially was so tempting... But shouldn't I face Mum, get everything out on the table?

Deciding to go with my heart instead, I pulled out the form Professor Sprout gave us the previous week. Ticking a box, I signed I Lyra Black, am staying at Hogwarts this Christmas.

Sasha took my form with a grin. "We're going to have the best Christmas ever!"

**

On the last day of term there was a buzz of excitement around the castle, as students with over-stuffed trunks and warm house scarfs hurried out of school, eager to be reunited with family.

"I'm going to miss you all so much!" Hermione exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. Hermione, Cassie and Katherine were about to leave and were saying goodbye to me and the boys. "It's going to be so weird not seeing you every day."

"It is," I handed Hermione a book shaped package. It was the first in the Ruby Series, I was trying to get her hooked. "Please, please don't open it until Christmas."

"I won't," Hermione promised. Then she put her serious face on. "The three of you are going to still look in the library for Flamel, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I suppose," Ron didn't sound enthusiastic, but I didn't blame him. It was almost Christmas. "Would it be safe to ask your parents about Flamel?"

"Very safe, considering they're dentists." Hermione laughed.

Cassie gave around hugs to everybody (Katherine shimmed away before Cassie reached her) before dishing out presents. I shook mine to annoy Cassie. She pinched me hard on the arm and I squealed.

"Okay, okay, I won't do it again!" I retreated from her sharp fingers. "Oh look, here comes trouble."

Draco was approaching us, somehow managing to look pissed off in a fluffy green Slytherin scarf and ushanka Russian hat and mittens. His spotless trunk was bashing behind him, hitting anybody in its path.

"Cassie, come with me." Draco spoke to his sister like she was a misbehaving puppy. "You're sitting with us on the train home—not these losers."

"Well I don't think it's cool to be a dick to people," Katherine drawled. "Look in the mirror dick, see who the real loser is."

A smile twitched onto Cassie lips and she ignored her brother. Draco scowled and grasped onto her arm. Tight. A tiny gasp escaped Cassie's lips.

"I think you'd better leave her alone," Harry and Ron had their wands out, itching for a fight with Draco, which was understandable.

Hermione and I exchanged a weary look. Draco released his grip on Cassie's arm, looking a bit guilty. "Mother and Father won't be happy, you know." Draco said, sticking his chin in the air. "About the scum you're associating with. They'll say you're disgracing the family name."

"There's worse ways to show disgrace to your family name," I said quietly.

Draco smirked. "You'd know all about that, wouldn't you Lyra? Being the daughter of a murderer, maybe you'll kill some stupid muggles too—"

I flinched as if he slapped me, but it was Ron and Harry who acted—Ron tackling Draco to the floor, and Harry stomping on his stupid hat, pointing his wand at him.

"Don't—" I cried out. "He's not worth it!"

Ron reluctantly stopped just before he punched Draco in the face, and Harry dropped the crumpled hat on the floor. But unluckily, before they could get up—Snape appeared.

"And what," he drawled. "Is going on here?"

"Malfoy was insulting Lyra!" Harry burst out, his cheeks red. "We were defending her."

"I was only insulting her stupid father," Draco muttered. "He is a killer."

Snape looked at the scene. "Ten points from Gryffindor, Weasley—now get off Malfoy before I make it twenty." Ron quickly clambered off Draco. But Snape wasn't done yet. His eyes bore onto Draco. "Malfoy—two points will be taken from Slytherin house. We shouldn't blame Miss Black for having a low-life for a father."

I looked at Snape, and he looked back at me. Not sure of what I should say, I just nodded. Snape said no more and glided off like a bat.

"Favouritism," Draco grumbled as he got up. "Come on, Cassie—"

Cassie turned away from him and stuck her middle finger up at him.

Draco swore under his breath, and finally left. The six of us exchanged a look. It was so weird—Snape, taking points from Slytherin! Saying I wasn't to blame for my father's actions? Was he ill or something?

"Can I actually say goodbye now?" Katherine said, shifting from foot to foot. "I'll take these stupid presents back if you all create drama again."

We all chorused thanks as Katherine handed out presents to each of us. She even allowed me to give her hand a quick squeeze.

"I told you," I whispered to her under my breath. "You've got it under control. You can touch people without worrying."

A light pink went across Katherine's freckles. "Whatever," she mumbled, but she did allow Cassie to give her a long hug as thanks for the present.

Harry, Ron and I watched as our three friends headed out into the cold—green, yellow and red scarfs blowing in the wind.

I missed them already.

**

Things got more exciting once the castle slowly emptied out of most of its residents. Since Sasha and I were the only Hufflepuffs staying, we moved into the Gryffindor common room for the Christmas period.

It only made sense since the Weasley's and Harry were the only Gryffindors staying behind, and Hermione had already said we could use the first-year dormitory. The Gryffindor common room wasn't as nice as ours—but it had our friends, which made it lively and full of laughter.

The boys and I weren't true to our promise to Hermione—we weren't looking into Flamel, but a tiny selfish part of me didn't care. We were having too much fun; crowding around the fire in the best comfiest armchairs cooking whatever we could by the fire and plotting ways we could get Draco expelled for being so horrible to his sister and us.

As Ron taught Harry how to play Wizard's chess I lounged on the sofa with the Ruby series, usually accompanied by Fred. He hadn't read the book (scandalous) so I was reading it to him.

"'There is good in him Lacey, I saw it," Hollie's eyes were bright. 'He rescued me from certain death at the cliffs of Ego.' Lacey scowled at her younger sister. 'Excuse me if I don't believe you while you point that at me.' The sword of Orion was in Hollie's hand, glowing with energy. 'You can't trust our father.' Hollie's eyes glittered with tears. 'I know what you did. I can't trust you either.' The two sisters stared at each other, as the world crumbled around them.'"

I finished the final chapter of the first book, closing the book on my lap. Fred stared at me with an open mouth. I couldn't tell if it was in awe or disgust at the book. He'd been quietly listening to me read for the last three days.

"So, what did you think?" I asked nervously.

"That was the greatest book ever," Fred spoke with reverence. He casually threw his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. I tried not to blush as I shimmed closer. I was failing—hopefully he would think it was because of how warm the common room was.

"But like—is Hollie right, is there good in him? But why did Lacey give the first Ruby to the evil goblin servants? Oh my god—was she doing it to protect her sister?" Fred had word diarrhea, giving me all his theories about what would happen next. 

I smiled at Fred, thrilled to see the passion on his face at my favourite book—not to mention how his fingers were lightly stroking my hair which was making me feel like an oversized cat in the best way possible.

"You'll have to read the next four to find out," I said coyly, stroking the red fringing on the book. Fred pouted at me.

"Please, please, Lyra—I gotta know!" Fred grasped onto both of my hands, surprising me. "Will they get the first Ruby back??"

He looked so earnest, I gave a small smile. "Yes—eventually."

Fred quickly pecked me on the cheek, so quickly I could barely believe it happened. "You're such a good egg, golden girl."

But then he leapt off the sofa after George to annoy Percy, leaving me confused and my cheeks turned pinker than ever before.

**

"Meow," I woke up to a tiny cat tongue run over my nose, and two huge marble blue eyes staring at me. "Meow,"

Sooty was on my chest, wearing a tiny Christmas hat, looking miserable. His eyes said 'help me'. His culprit was found in the form of my sister, ripping into her presents cross-legged on the floor.

"What did you do to my poor kitten?" I said as a greeting, cuddling Sooty up to my chest as I pulled the covers back. "He looks upset."

"He's a kitten, he doesn't have feelings," Sasha grinned just to annoy me. "Merry Christmas."

I crawled onto the floor next to her, after removing the hat from Sooty. He took off like a shot, almost bowling Fred and George over who were entering the dorm.

"Woah!" George cried, almost falling over his own feet. "Lyra, did you enchant your cat to go super fast?"

"He just hates Christmas hats," I explained, finding my small pile of wrapped presents. I examined the twins. They were wearing knitted jumpers with an F and G on. I frowned. "George, why are you wearing Fred's jumper?"

The two of them began bickering. "I told you she'd tell the difference!" Fred said triumphantly. "Told you, told you!"

George scowled at him. "Shut up Gred—bet you two chocolate frogs that Ron won't know the difference."

"You shut up, Forge—I bet you three chocolate frogs—"

"Four—"

Sasha swore loudly and colourfully. "For God's sake, did you two want anything? Merlin—I've never met two boys as annoying as you pair." She paused. "Merry Christmas."

Fred and George launched onto my sister with hugs, the three of them becoming a blur of ginger and wool. When they released Sasha, George dropped two squishy packages onto her lap.

"For the both of you—from mum," George grinned. "We're going to pester Ron and Harry."

He shot off into the corridor, but Fred hovered. He held out a small box to me. "This is um, for you Lyra."

I took it shyly. "Thank you, Fred. That's thoughtful of you. Your present is under the common room tree."

Fred beamed at me. Little did he know I'd ordered the entire Ruby series with express owl delivery for him. "Thanks, golden girl! See you both later!"

He disappeared as well, and Sasha smirked as she unwrapped a super-cosy lilac jumper with an S on that Mrs Weasley had knitted. I nudged her. "What?"

"You two are sickening." She snorted. "Just get together already."

I flushed pink. "I don't even know if he likes me."

Sasha gave me a hard stare. "Don't be stupid, Lyra. Christmas is a time of romance. Ask him out—be the dominant one. Boys like that."

"Why not you ask Cedric out then?"

Sasha whacked me with a pillow, and knocking me flat on my back. Laughing, as I tried to avoid getting assaulted further, I began opening my presents lying flat on my tummy.

I had so many lovely presents—which included a brand-new dress from Sasha, a blue jumper from Mrs Weasley and music pieces and strong bookmarks from Cassie and Hermione.

Katherine and Fred's presents were possibly the most interesting. Katherine's was a large sheet of blue paper with a constellation drawn in immense detail in silver sharpie. Underneath it said that it was the sky the day I was born. I wondered how long it had taken her to do. The thought made me feel warm inside.

My mouth felt a little dry as I opened the present from Fred. What would he have gotten me? Inside a chocolate frog box, I found a golden necklace with a small round pendant at the edge. Gasping, I ran my finger over the words golden girl inscribed in tiny letters. I could tell the necklace was charmed gold, but I didn't care. I loved it.

"Damn," Sasha let out a low whistling noise. "You got so lucky, Lyra. The boy likes you back!"

I blushed at her. "He's just being a good friend, and thoughtful. Only he calls me golden girl. Fred's nice."

Sasha rolled her eyes so much I thought they'd sink into her head. "Yeah, well he's given me a nickname too. Sasha." I gave her a confused look. "Fred doesn't give nicknames, idiot. You're special."

Turning a darker shade of pink, I asked Sasha to do the necklace up for me.. It was ridiculous—surely, he was just being thoughtful, not romantic? Fred couldn't think of me in that way, right?

I headed straight to Harry and Ron's dormitory, only to find Ron alone. I frowned. "Merry Christmas, Ron. Where's Harry?"

Ron shrugged, only for Harry to materialise in the middle of the dorm. I screamed, and literally jumped a couple inches. Clutching my heart, which was going a million miles an hour, I glared at Harry.

"What are you playing at? What sort of spell was that?"

Harry waved a silky silver cloak in my face. I gasped, I knew exactly what that was. "An invisibility cloak? Wow! Who got you that? They're so rare!"

Harry shrugged. He too was wearing a Weasley jumper. "Dunno, there was no name on the note. It said it belonged to my dad though."

"Wicked," I breathed out.

Ron gave me a knowing smile. "That's what I said as well."

We spent an hour before breakfast playing stupid games of hide-and-seek with the cloak, one of us hiding in the cloak and the others pelting the person with socks and baubles until they gave up. It was loads of fun—thoughts of Fred going out of my head.

In the gap before lunch, I finally gathered my small amount of courage (hey, I wasn't a Gryffindor) to thank Fred for the present. I found him in his dormitory, organising his presents into his drawers. For such an excitable extrovert, Fred was incredibly neat and tidy.

"Hey," Fred smiled. "Having a good Christmas so far? Hogwarts Christmases are the best."

"Yeah," I smiled, though I was thinking about how mum hadn't sent me a present, only a card which I refused to open. "It's great."

Fred stretched out his long legs on his bed. "I know something's up," he gave me a knowing smile. "Come here,"

I gingerly sat next to him, stretching my much shorter legs out. Even though I knew Fred was as safe as stabilisers on a kid's bike, I still felt nervous being alone with him in his room.

"My mum didn't send me a present," I said quietly. "Wow, that sounds really petty and spoilt, doesn't it?"

Fred shook his head. "No, it doesn't. You're right to be upset. It's her fault you and Sasha didn't come home for Christmas." He grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry about it, Lyra. By the way—I loved the Ruby series books. That was so thoughtful of you."

I looked at our intertwined hands and squeezed it back. I didn't want to let go, so I didn't. Fred didn't seem to mind. "It's okay. Thank you for the necklace," I said shyly. "It's beautiful."

With his free hand, Fred gently pushed my hair over my shoulder so he could see the golden chain around my neck. He gave me a soft smile. "I wanted to get you something as pretty as you are. I know you're insecure because of your eyes."

Blush crept onto my cheeks, but for once I didn't try to hide it. "Nobody's called me pretty before." I paused, thinking of my mum and Sasha. "At least, not anybody who didn't have to say I was."

"I won't be the last to call you pretty," Fred said. He sounded shy and nervous, very unlike him. His voice broke as he said, "You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen Lyra."

He cupped my face in his hand, and lightly stroked my cheekbone. My breath hitched. "Well I think you're the prettiest boy I've ever seen."

Then without either of us really thinking about it, we both leaned forward and kissed. My first kiss. Fred stroked my cheek as he kissed me, as soft and as gentle as a summer breeze. Fireflies danced and glowed in my stomach, and for the first time ever I didn't feel like the odd-one-out.

--

A/N Yay! Fred and Lyra kissed :) but will their happiness last? The song is one I really think sums their relationship up (and is a great song)

On a serious note, I'm a little bit sad. Not many people are commenting :( I just like to know if you guys are enjoying it and any feedback, and I'm getting very few. Even if it's comment to say you like the chapter I'd appreciate it.

Next chapter will be up in a few days :)