Sirius Black's Twin

Christmas

"It's Christmas!" Lily said happily.

She ran down the stairs with her trunk banging behind her. She wore a green elf hat on top of her head and a green coat that made her hair and eyes stand out. She dropped her trunk when she seen James and hugged him tightly.

"I'm going to miss you over break," Lily said to James, her boyfriend.

"I'm going to miss you too," James said, smiling. "How am I going to survive this horrid vacation without you?"

"Oh, shut it, Potter," Lily said playfully.

"Will you two love birds get a room," Lyra said crankily, her mood has went down hill since Lily and James had become a couple. Every time she looked at them she felt empty without Nick by her side.

She came down with her trunk banging loudly on the stairs, attracting many students' attention. Their attention only increased when they seen what she was wearing.

Lyra, who usually wore her most cheerful clothes on christmas (light blue sweater with faded muggle jeans) was now dressed in the most uncheerful outfit anyone had ever laid eyes on. She had on a black coat with black knee-high boots, black scarf and hat. Her black hair was almost invisable.

"Spreading Christmas cheer, I see," James said, raising his eyebrows.

"She's been moody for a long time now," Lily whispered to him. "She won't tell me why."

"I will you two stop whispering to eachother about me like I can't see you?" Lyra snapped and she trudged out of the common room, feeling the stares on her back.

Sirius, who knew exactly why she was so upset,just rolled his eyes after her and went to Lily and James.

"Don't mind her, it's nothing against you two - but your not exactly helping her mood," Sirius said.

As the three walked out of the portrait hole they were joined by Peter and Remus, who looked very cheerful.

"How aren't we helping her mood?" James said, offended. "We've been nice to her for months and all she does is snap at us."

"She misses Nick Blue," Sirius said, rolling his eyes. "And seeing you two all lovey dovey is bound to make her remember him more."

"Wow," Lily said, blinking at Sirius. "You actually know something about feelings, Sirius?"

Sirius rolled his eyes at Lily's sarcasm. "Just. . . stop being all 'oh I'm so in love' around her, okay?"

"Fine," James grumbled.

Remus laughed. "I think that includes not clinging to his arm, Lily."

Lily blushed and let go of james' arm. They didn't see Lyra the hole train ride, little did they know she was in the compartment inthe back of the train all by herself, looking out the window sadly and making colorful smoke wisp out of the tip of her wand.

Nick was teaching some foreigh schools how to apparate and he wasn't going to be able to see her off the train. Lyra had been looking forward to seeing him sicne she went on the train but the one time she thought she was finally going to see him he had to go to work.

She understood, of course, but it didn't mean she had to like it. She regretted being mean to James and Lily when they so obviously couldn't help themselves but she would have thought, being her best friends and all, that they would have thought of her feelings and have refrained from acting so much like a couple.

When the train stopped Lyra was the first one off, not wanting to meet up with James, Lily, Remus, or Peter - though she knew she'd see Sirius at the houses.

When she stepped onto the platform her eyes landed on a tall figure who was grinning widely at her.

"Nick?" Lyra said, ore to herself. His grin widened as he took in her expression. "Nick!"

She rushed towards him and engulfed him in a hug that could have strangled a lion, but Nick didn't seem uncomfortable.

"I thought you were teaching some schoolhow to apparate!" Lyra said, pulling away and brushing her black hair out of her eyes.

"I told them that I couldn't today, that I was sick," Nick smiled down at Lyra. "I lied, of course, I'm not sick."

Lyra smiled at him and ugged him some more.

"What are you wearing?" Nick laughed. "it's Christmas."

"I was grouchy," Lyra said. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, but you don't see me dressing goth," Nick said.

"Let's go," Lyra said. "Before you try to make another joke."

"I'm funny," Nick protested.

"Of course you are, sweety."

Lyra grabbed Nick's hand and turned on the spot, apparating away.