P A R A M O U R || George Weasley

11 || AN EXCHANGE

The time has finally come for the students of Hogwarts to visit home for the Christmas break. Many are excited to see their parents again, while others are excited to be back in the muggle world. It varies from person to person, but Lyra Malfoy is simply happy to be around her parents again. Similarly, George Weasley is looking forward to seeing his family, including his older brothers.

The students leaving the magical castle are packed up, allowing the house elves to apparate their trunks to the red train. Lyra Malfoy is one of the first people to board the train, not only eager to leave but to have a moment to herself. Contrary to everyone's belief, she isn't looking to be alone. Instead, she's looking to have a moment with George Weasley, something she never thought she'd need.

She gets to pick a compartment of her choosing, considering ten people or less are on the train. While she waits for the redhead to appear, Lyra stares out of the window, saying goodbye for now to the Hogwarts castle. Her home away from home- a sentiment shared by most students.

Ten minutes into waiting, the compartment's door slides open and closes again. George Weasley shakes his coat along with his beanie, which is covered by specs of snow. Lyra doesn't bother turning around to see who it is as his figure is reflected on the window.

George was more than surprised during breakfast when he received a letter from Lyra asking to meet her on the train. He had caught her gaze from his spot in the Gryffindor table, sending her a discrete nod to let her know he would be there. It makes him feel somewhat accomplished that she reached out to him no matter how annoyed she always seems to act.

Fred had wondered who the letter was from, considering George was very secretive about it. His twin simply responded that it was from a secret admirer and left it at that. He doesn't have a reason to believe George lied, so instead, Fred joked about him being the more handsome twin.

In the train, George smiles in Lyra's direction, ready to make a witty comment when the blinds of the compartment all shutter close with a flick of her wand. "Blimey, is that really necessary?"

"Do you want people seeing us talking?"

George shakes his head and proceeds to make himself comfortable in the booth. "Not necessarily, but if people were to catch us, they'd think we're doing something else," he says, suggestively wiggling his eyebrows.

"Good thing no one is going to catch us then," Lyra responds as she sits across from him, right next to her discarded coat.

"How are you so sure?" He asks with a grin.

Lyra huffs and, with another flick of her wand, locks the compartment, "There! No one should be able to catch us."

"Now they will really think we're going at it," he jokes, to which Lyra sends him a glare, "Right, sorry. What did you want to talk about, dear Lyra?"

The piercing stare previously set on George shifts, landing on her hands. Suddenly remembering why she had asked him to meet, Lyra turns a bit timid, but it has to be done both out of decent courtesy and her benefit. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Lyra looks at him again.

George waits patiently for her to speak, noticing the shift in her demeanor. Once words start flowing for her mouth, he is left in a bit of a shock.

"I want to thank you for helping me through everything. For comforting me that day and most importantly for helping me stray from your brother."

Her words come to show some of the more redeeming qualities of Lyra Malfoy that not many people get to see. To be honest, he had been expecting for her to scold him or ask for more help, not this. Not because he didn't think she was incapable but because she always has difficulty expressing other feelings that aren't irritation or amusement.