[Go back the way you came.]

Today was a good day to be Cytherea.  She had woken up early for once, and eaten enough food to challenge the average teenage boy. Unfortunately that left her with a ridiculous amount of energy to burn off, and Cytherea found her self running around the school grounds (although theoretically she should be doing her some of her homework).

It was just bad that today was Sunday. Sundays were always boring, regardless of how much energy was pent up within Cytherea's minuscule body. But the boredom seemed to be amplified tenfold today. She had spied Vulpy and his new friend Aurora swimming in the lake earlier, but made a very rare choice, and decided to leave them alone. Hopefully the solitude would get them closer.

But once she had made that choice, and run off in another direction, Cytherea couldn't think of anything to do. So she climbed a tree. And then another, and then another, all the way to the top (or at least as close as she could get). It was rather nice in this third tree. Cytherea felt she could see everything. And in fact, from her elevation, she could just make out Vulpy and Aurora leaving from their spot by the lake, heading off to do who knows what else.

With a snicker, Cytherea began removing herself from the branches, leaping off the lowest one and sprinting in her brothers direction the moment she landed. She couldn't wait any longer. From what it had looked like earlier they were getting very close, by now Cytherea figured the two would be together.

Running flat out, Cytherea managed to catch the duo in a matter of minutes. "VULPY!" she shouted, as she got closer to them. He flinched slightly, and wheeled around...

...Just in time for Cytherea to jump and tackle him.

"Hey there big brother!" Cytherea said loudly as the two fell. Vulpy struggled against her, but she kept her vice like grip. "How are you? And how are you Aurora? How's your day? Did he kiss you yet?"

Aurora's eyes widened at the sound of a shrieking girl heading their way at full speed.  It was Cytherea, Vulpes's sister, no doubt.  Who else would call him 'Vulpy'?  Turning around just as Cytherea tackled Vulpes and both fell to the ground, Aurora stepped back, unsure of what to do with herself.

"Did he kiss you yet?" Cytherea asked excitedly to Aurora, making an awkward lapse of silence to fall between the three of them.  Aurora stood there, wide-eyed, mouth agape, and frozen to the spot.  Why, Cytherea?  Why? she thought in embarrassment and coughed a little.

"No, Cytherea.  I don't see why he would." she said evenly, regaining her composure.  Oh, great.  Now Vulpes will think I had something to do with this.  And after I made it clear that I didn't think he liked me that way...

She flashed Vulpes an apologetic look, hoping he wouldn't take this outburst from his sister the wrong way.

"Did he kiss you yet?"

Vulpes stopped squirming. Why would Cytherea think they would have kissed? He turned to Aurora with an inquisitive look as she told his sister no. For some reason the way she said it made him sad. But upon hearing that nothing had happened between the two, Cytherea's grip seemed to slacked, and Vulpes finally managed to free himself from her clutches.

Quickly, he stood and straightened out his clothes. Casually, he brushed his hair from his face and looked down at his sister. "Like she said, sis," Vulpes said calmly, picking her up off the ground. "Why on earth would you think otherwise."

Vulpes shot Aurora an 'any ideas' look and shrugged.

She inwardly relaxed in relief at Vulpes being on the same page as her.  Aurora looked at Cytherea as they stood up and smiled at her sheepishly. "You have a vivid imagination, Cytherea." she said, shaking her head in amusement and adjusted the strap of her bag.

"As you know, Vulpes and I are just friends.  Friends don't just go around kissing each other.  Isn't that right, Vulpes?" she said evenly and looked at Vulpes expectantly.

Cytherea gave them both a sly look and placed her hands on her hips. "Oh puh-lease!" she said cheekily. "I saw you two in the lake." Cytherea let out a small giggle at the shocked expression they both gave her. Waving her hand dismissively she pressed on. "You don't need to be embarrassed. I think its cute."

But the longer they gave her that same shocked expression, the more she began to doubt herself. Frowning slightly, she looked between both their faces. "Wait..." Cytherea said slowly. "You're serious?" She couldn't believe it, and rounded on Aurora.

"Okay fine," she said calmly, smiling again. "I know Vulpy here probably would be to shy. But you," Cytherea pointed at Aurora and cocked her head. "I thought you liked him. And you're a Gryffindor! Why didn't you kiss him then?"

She really wasn't mad. But it was beyond her why the two hadn't hit it off yet.

Aurora's throat constricted awkwardly as her face heated up considerably.  Her heart beat violently in her chest, threatening to break through.  She had never been this embarrassed in her life.  I never said I liked him like that!  Did I?  No, I'm almost sure I didn't.  Because I don't.  Right?  Of course!  Get out of your head and do something to diffuse the situation.  Get out!

Refusing to look at Vulpes, for fear of how he would react, she swallowed the rather large lump in her throat and willed her face to cool down.

"Cytherea, what made you think I liked him like that?" she asked lowly with a curious expression.  "We just met yesterday, for Maker's sake."

Vulpes felt oddly faint when he heard his sister say that Aurora liked him. He cast a glance at Aurora and caught a glimpse of her blushing face before she asked Cytehrea why she would think that. Vulpes bit his lip. She didn't actually say she didn't like him. So he now supposed it was possible that she did.

Ignoring the rest of the conversation, Vulpes began considering his own feelings on the matter. It didn't take nearly as long as he would have liked. He eyed Cytherea warily and decided to cut her off before she could retort. "Cytherea," he said calmly. "I'm not sure you're quite old enough to fully understand how these sorts of things work." Vulpes turned to face Aurora and gave her a slight wink. "I mean we met yesterday... and it doesn't happen over night..."

"And I'm pretty sure Aurora doesn't look at me like that," he finished quietly.

"Right." Aurora agreed through a relieved sigh and smiled softly at Vulpes.  "Vulpes is my friend.  Nothing more." she said lightly and looked back at Cytherea.  "And even if that were to change, it certainly wouldn't be the day after we just met." she added and wiggled her bare toes in the squishy grass idly.

Thank the Maker Vulpes is going along with this. she commented mentally and felt the tension between them recede.  Furrowing her eyebrows at Cytherea, she took a step closer.

"Were you climbing trees?" she asked casually, noticing some leaves in her hair and bark crusted to her clothes.

"Oh," Cytherea said half-heartedly. She had hoped they would have hit it off by now. After all from they way it looked when they were in the lake together... Oh well. Cytherea gave a small grin. Neither of them seemed too convinced of it though. So there was still hope.

Perking up at Aurora's question, Cytherea's grin grew wider and she stood a little straighter. "Yep!" she proudly proclaimed. "I climbed a bunch, and found one where I could keep an eye on you two. It was all the way at the top." Hearing a sigh, Cytherea turned her head in time to see Vulpy shaking his head slightly and covering his face with his palm. "What?" Cytherea asked defiantly. "It's not like I fell. This time anyways..." she gave them both a wide smile.

"So, what are you two up to now?"

Thank the Maker, she thought in exasperation at the subject change.  She really didn't want to linger on the subject of Vulpes's and her possible more-than-friendship friendship.  Now they could just focus on the free day at hand.  Smiling at hearing Cytherea climbing trees, she reminisced about how she used to get into trouble like that all the time as a kid.  Still to this day, in fact.  Aurora chuckled at Vulpes's disapproval.

"We were just wandering around the lawns.  Would you like to join us?" she asked politely to Cytherea.  She wasn't sure if she personally wanted Cytherea around, but she was raised to offer your company for the sake of politeness.  Whether or not she'll take it, however, was totally up to Cytherea... and maybe a little by Vulpes.

Vulpes sighed and covered his face with his hand when his little sister told them she'd been in the top of a tree spying on them. Rambunctious as ever it seems. Ah, well, at least she isn't punching people. "No, you didn't fall this time," he stressed.


"We were just wandering around the lawns.  Would you like to join us?"

Slightly shocked, Vulpes shot Aurora a confused look. Personally he'd rather the two of them be alone. Cytherea had a way of making things awkward. And that really wasn't something he wanted more of. "Uh, I'm not sure she should, Rory." Vulpes said calmly, turning back to his sister. "Wouldn't you rather be off doing ridiculously dangerous stunts with your friends? Like... Mary, or someone."

Vulpes shrugged. He was going to mention she should get caught up on her studying, but Vulpes already knew that wouldn't happen when it came to Cytherea.

Aurora snorted lightly and shot Vulpes an amused look.  "Things can't get much more awkward, anyway." she shrugged and flashed Cytherea a cheeky smile.  "Besides, this would be good practice for me, right?  I need to learn how to socialize." she added with a chuckle.  "That is, if Cytherea is up to it.  If not, then I suppose Vulpes and I will have to do without."

Aurora actually liked the idea of bonding with Cytherea.  The night before had started their odd friendship, so it was natural for them to want to spend time together, right?  Vulpes with them would make things go smoother, as well.

Cytherea gave her brother a soft glare. "Why, can't I come with you?" she asked suspiciously. "I mean, yea I'd rather be off exploring, but here I am asking to tag along with you. Unless of course there's a reason you;d rather be alone with her," Cytherea gave a devilish grin and made a kissy face.

Seeing that she had won the debate, Cytherea turned back to Aurora. "So, it's decided! We're wandering around together." Cytherea stepped in the middle of them, hands on her hips, looking back and forth between the two expectantly. "So where we headed?" she asked, fully ready to follow them anywhere.

"And can I call you Rory too?"

"I think we're just heading... that way a bit." she informed Cytherea before flashing Vulpes a warm smile and a look that said 'Oh, come on.  She's not that bad.'

"Uh, I don't mind if you call me Rory, but only if it's okay with Vulpes, since he's the one who dubbed me." she said with a shrug.  "Just you two, though.  I don't want it spreading around like wildfire." she warned jokingly and started off down the hill.

Aurora felt really good at that moment: her spirits lifted with the company she was surrounded by.  Having Vulpes and Cytherea emitted a positive energy she wasn't used to, but she was appreciative of them nonetheless.

"It's really not my place to say," he said calmly. "And I'll make sure to watch who I say it around. Speaking of which," Vulpes looked down at his sister, head tilted slightly. "Cytherea, I would love it if you didn't call me Vulpy in front of everyone. I like it being just a family thing." Vulpes glanced up at Aurora.  "Oh, but you can call me it too, if you want," he added quickly. It only seemed fair if he was going to be calling her Rory half the time.

With that little bit of identity cleared up, Vulpes began strolling across the ground with his sister and his best friend. For him it seemed an unlikely trio, but Cytherea and Aurora got along well enough, so there was no reason to worry. Except perhaps about what to talk about.

"So," Vulpes said after a few minutes of silence. "You both think you're ready for your exams?" He sighed inwardly at such a boring topic, but the upcoming O.W.L.s did in fact occupy a large portion of his thoughts. And he wanted to see if Cytherea thought her self ready for her first exams.