Lyra || Charlie Weasley ||

The dare was to kiss the cutest boy in the room

The Christmas holidays were off to a brilliant start. Ginny, Mum, Mrs. Weasley and I were out in Diagon Alley doing some holiday shopping. The cobblestone streets were lined with festive wreaths and lights, a light dusting of snow covering the rooftops. Inside the shops, upbeat carols played over the chatter of excited customers.

Ginny and I were having a great time browsing the shops together while Mum and Mrs. Weasley went off on their own. We popped into Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to say a quick hello to George, who demonstrated some of their new holiday products for us.

"Got to watch out for these Candy Canes," he said with a mischievous wink. "They'll turn your tongue different colors every time you lick them. I've been using one to drive Ron spare all week."

Ginny and I left the shop giggling, our bags laden with gifts and pranking supplies. Next we stopped at Flourish and Blotts so Ginny could pick out a new book for Hermione's present. While scanning the shelves, I felt a strange prickling on the back of my neck, like I was being watched. I glanced around but didn't see anyone suspicious. Shaking off the odd feeling, I followed Ginny up to the register to pay for the book.

We decided to stop at the Leaky Cauldron for some hot butterbeers before meeting back up with Mum and Mrs. Weasley. We snagged a small table near the fireplace and were waiting for our drinks when I felt that prickle again. Casually glancing around the pub, I noticed two hooded figures sitting at the bar. Something about them made me uneasy.

Before I could point them out to Ginny, Tom came over with our butterbeers. By the time I looked back at the bar, the two figures were gone.

"Is everything alright?" Ginny asked, noticing my distraction.

"Yeah, I just..." I trailed off, realizing how paranoid I sounded. "It's nothing. Just thought I saw someone I knew."

Ginny shrugged and launched into a story about Quidditch practice, and I tried to shake off the nagging feeling of eyes on me. We finished our drinks quickly and then bundled back up to head out into the cold. Snow was falling softly as we made our way up Diagon Alley to meet Mum and Mrs. Weasley by the Leaky Cauldron entrance.

I hung back a bit, enjoying the peaceful sight of the snowy street. Ginny walked several paces ahead of me, her red hair peeking out from under her hat. Then, so quickly I almost missed it, a dark figure stepped out from a narrow alley and grabbed her, disapparating immediately.

"Ginny!" I screamed, running forward even though I knew it was too late. She was gone. Panic clutched at my chest as I whipped around desperately, but the alley was empty.

Before I could even process what was happening, another figure lunged out and seized me. I only had time to suck in a gasp before the suffocating pressure of apparition surrounded me.

We reappeared in a small, dimly lit room. I immediately struggled against the iron grip on my arms, twisting violently.

"Let me go!"

"Now, now, that's no way to greet an old family friend."

A icy voice spoke behind me. I froze, blood turning to ice in my veins. That voice was unmistakable. The figure holding me released his grip and stepped back. Trembling, I turned and came face to face with Yaxley.

His lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his cold eyes.

"Hello, Lyra. Did you miss me?"

Rage and disgust rose up inside me. I spat in his face.

"Don't touch me, you foul--"

Pain exploded across my cheek, cutting off my words. He had backhanded me hard across the face. Tears sprang to my eyes but I blinked them back defiantly.