For Laura, who is the light in my darkness. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

So many thanks to Rish, for without her, I would've never written this. She was also very lovely and beta'd so all remaining mistakes are mine.

Note: I would say I'm sorry but I'm not.

This isn't what Alec was expecting for his final year at Hogwarts. He was hoping for a quiet year; unlike the previous few, where the rise of Valentine was immeniate.

He isn't expecting the Headmaster to stand after the Sorting and say, "This year, Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament. Our guests will be arriving in a month. Until then, classes will proceed as normal. The night they arrive, classes will be cancelled and we will have a feast to welcome them."

Whispers start up around the Hall, and the Headmaster silences them easily with a raise of his hand. "Now, for those of you unaware, the Triwizard Tournament is extremely dangerous. Therefore, no one under the age of seventeen will be able to compete. However, those who put their name in the Goblet will have a chance at eternal glory."

Alec turns to look at his sister and Jace. Jace is grinning like a madman - and Alec just knows that his best friend is going to put his name in the Goblet.

He takes the month to ponder. The eternal glory sounds...intriguing. He can't deny how much he wants to bring glory back to his family, who fell during the first Wizarding War against Valentine.

But what he wants more than anything is do something that will make his parents proud of him. He knows that the moment that he reveals he's gay, his parents will close themselves off from him. But the wounds of the war and those they lost are too fresh for them to disown him.

Maybe winning the Triwizard Tournament will make them proud.

"Please join me in welcoming the students from the Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy." As the Headmaster speaks, the tables grow in length near the Head table, no doubt for their guests.

He turns toward the doors of the Great Hall. The doors swing open and a group of students with furs covering them from head to toe. The majority of them seem to be blokes, with a girl or two in the mix. He can't help but notice that they seem rough as they make their way to the Headmaster. They bow respectfully before they take a seat.

Next, people in thin blue robes come rushing in. As Alec watches them make their way, grandly, to the Headmaster, he can't help but think that come winter time, their thin robes would be impractical. They follow Durmstrang's lead and bow before the Headmaster.

As they take a seat, Alec catches a glimpse of black hair that stands out from the blue of the robes. The person must feel his eyes on him. He turns around and Alec is met with the most beautiful pair of gold-green eyes.

The bloke smiles at him. And Alec, oh, he knows he's a little screwed.

"You're seriously going to do this?" his sister, Isabelle, asks.

Alec has debated this since the first night. And he's sure. "There's nothing wrong with trying," he replies.

She narrows her eyes at him. "You wouldn't be doing this because you want to make Mum and Dad happy, would you?"

There's an accusing tone in her voice that Alec doesn't quite like. He stops walking, turning towards his sister. "What does it matter why I'm doing this?" he demands.

"You should do it because you want to do it. Not because you have some need to please our parents," she says. And then she shakes her head. "I'm going to go."

Alec watches her leave, tugging at his yellow and black tie. He takes several deep breaths in before he continues on his way to the Great Hall. He places his name in the Goblet and everyone claps.

As he goes to leave, Beautiful Eyes and another girl, a very pretty girl with brown hair, enters. He's glad that everyone in the immediate area is curious, because they don't find it strange when he stops and watches the pair. They stop just short of the age line.

"Go on," Beautiful Eyes encourages.

The girl steps across the line and throws a piece of parchment into the Goblet. When it burns, Alec claps along with the rest of the room.

When Beautiful Eyes and the girl turns around, Alec is caught staring. He drops his eyes and flees the Great Hall.

"Izzy tells me that you put your name in the Goblet."

Alec lifts his head from where he's bent over his homework. In front of him stands his best friend. Jace's face is accusatory, causing Alec to frown. "Yesterday," he confirms.

Jace takes a seat next to him beneath the tree. "I didn't know you were going to enter. We could've put our names in it together."

Jace's disappointment hits Alec like a train. "I'll go with you to put your name in. I just..." he trails off, trying to find the right words.

"Wanted to tell your parents you tried?" Jace guesses. And all Alec can do is nod. "Well, I was going to put my name in the Goblet now since I have a free period."

Alec starts to pack up before Jace finishes his statement. As they set off back to the castle together, Jace bumps Alec's shoulder. "Let's face it: with my name in the Goblet, you won't stand a chance at being Champion."

To anyone else, it would sound rude, but Alec knows it's just how Jace is, which causes him to smile.

"Take your seats," the Headmaster says, his voice loud. It takes several minutes of shuffling before the Hall settles down. "Now, as I call your names, you will stand and exit to the trophy room to the left," he announces, gesturing in the direction of the door.

Alec feels his sister slip her hand into his. He squeezes it, offering her a smile. Jace sits next to him.

The Goblet's red fire grows exponentially, changing to blue. A piece of parchment comes floating down and the Headmaster snatches it out of the air. "The Durmstrang Champion is…" He turns the parchment over, and glances up. "Camille Belcourt." The Durmstrang students roar with happiness as a blonde girl stands and shakes the Headmaster's hand before disappearing into the trophy room.

The Goblet glows blue again and spits out another piece of parchment. "The Beauxbatons Champion is Theresa Gray." The cheering for her is much quieter than Durmstrang's.

Alec watches as the girl he watched put her name in the fire rises. Beautiful Eyes gives her an encouraging push and she stumbles forward to shake the Headmaster's hand.

"And finally," the Headmaster says as the Goblet glows again. "The Hogwart's Champion is Alexander Lightwood."

Stunned, Alec stands shakily and makes his way over to the Headmaster. He shakes his hand and follows the previous two to the trophy room. Never in a million years would he have expected to become a Triwizard Champion.

He's sitting under his favorite tree near the lake - the one that has a perfect view of the lake, but shaded from the castle - doing a particularly lengthy and nasty Potions essay, trying to forget about the upcoming Task, when his sunlight is blocked. "Go away, Jace," Alec says, without glancing up.

"I'm not Jace," a voice says.

Alec freezes mid-word. He recognizes the smooth voice. How could he not? The person behind the voice has been the object of his attention for the past few weeks. "No," Alec says; his brain finally catching up. He glances up to look at Beautiful Eyes. As he looks closer, he notices the glitter that sparkles in his hair and around his eyes. "You're not."

He takes a seat next to Alec in the ground, stretching out much like a cat. "You've been staring at me," he says nonchalantly.

Alec chokes. His face turns red. And it causes Beautiful Eyes to smirk at him. He tries to stammer out a reply, but he can't find the words. The other boy takes pity on him. "Magnus Bane," he announces.

Alec smiles.

"Alexander," a voice says.

Alec doesn't have to look away from his paper to know that it's Magnus - the only person who makes his name sound incredible. It causes him to smile. "Don't you have class or something?"

"Don't you?" Magnus responses easily.

Alec laughs. "Free period," he answers.

Alec watches as Magnus glances around. "You're always in this same spot. Why?"

"It's my favorite spot," Alec admits. "It's very peaceful since not many people know about it. I found it when I was in second year. Surprised you found it, actually."

"I'm very good at finding beautiful thing," Magnus replies offhandedly. He meets Alec's eyes as he says, "And this is a beautiful spot."

Alec finds himself smiling. Sitting with Magnus is easy, enjoyable; it feels right. He hasn't felt this much at home in his own skin in years.

"Dragons are the first task? Are you kidding me?" Alec demands. He's pacing back and forth down a deserted corridor in the dungeons.

"Shh!" Isabelle hisses, glancing around. She pulls out her wand, casting a silencing charm around the two of them. "Yes, dragons are the first task. And before you ask, I'm not kidding. Saw them myself."

He raises his eyebrow. "How'd you see them?"

She rolls her eyes, huffing loudly. "I was walking to Care of Magical Creatures when I saw that Ministry official walking towards the Forest."

"And he just happened to let you follow him directly to the dragons?" Alec questions.

She folds her arms across her chest. "Yeah right," she huffs again. "I used a disillusionment spell." When Alec just stares at her in disbelief, she smiles as if she expected the response. "What? I read."

Alec runs his fingers through his hair. "Dragons," he mutters to himself. "Thanks, Izzy, but I got to go." Turning, he moves to leave.

"Wait!" she cries. "We need to figure out a plan."

Alec shakes his head. "Later. There's something I got to do first." And without another word, he disappears down the hallway.

Before Magnus even has a chance to sit next to him, Alec is talking. "You're friends with your school's champion, right?"

Alec meets confused gold-green eyes. "What is this about?"

"The First Task," he replies. The Champions only have a week until the first task begins, until it all becomes real for him. "So you're friends with her right?" When Magnus nods, Alec continues, "Tell her dragons. That's the first task."

Magnus swears. "Are you sure about this?" When he nods solemnly, Magnus swears again. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Everyone should be on the same playing field," Alec replies. And he believes it. He'd considered sending word to Durmstrang's Champion before coming to wait for Magnus, but decided against it. Why would she believe Alec? She doesn't even know him.

"Thank you," he says, standing. "I would love to stay and talk, but I figure Tessa will need sometime to strategize."

"Be careful out there," Isabelle whispers into his shoulder. She clings to him tightly. "We already lost Max. Don't make me lose you too."

Alec's heart squeezes painfully at the mention of their younger brother, the brother who had been killed by Valentine's men a few months ago. His brother was a casualty of the war - the war that had brought on the Triwizard Tournament in the first place. "I won't," he murmurs. And it sounds a lot like a promise.

When she finally lets him ago, Alec can see the glimmer in her eyes, the tears that she's holding back. Then he feels Jace's hand clap around his shoulder. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Izzy. It's Alec we're talking about here."

Alec grins at his best friend. But before he has a chance to answer, the Headmaster's voice fills the Champion's tent. "The Task is about to start. All friends and family, please head to your seats."

Alec watches as Jace leads Izzy out of the tent. He feels a hand touch his shoulder. When he glances to his side, Magnus is standing there. "Good luck."

"Thanks."

When he opens his eyes, all he knows is that his left arm is giving him excruciating pain and his head is throbbing. He groans. "Alec!"

He blinks a few times, focusing the world. He sees his sister leaning over him. "What happened?" he croaks. "I didn't fail, did I?"

"No," another voice says. Alec turns to see Jace sitting in the chair. "You just got hit with the dragon's tail after you got the egg. They gave you something to mend the bones that were broken, and put some salve on your arm for the burn."

"Is it going to scar?" he asks, looking down at his wrapped arm.

Izzy slaps his shoulder. "You were lucky you didn't die, and you're worried about a burn scarring! I can't believe you."

His sister's tone causes him to turn toward her. She's a mess - her inky hair tied up in a messy ponytail and tear streaks down her cheeks. He's only seen her like that once before.

He swallows thickly. "I'm sorry, Izzy."

She buries her face in his chest. "I wish you would've never put your name in that Goblet," she murmurs into his shirt.

And for once, he agrees.

"How's the arm healing?"

Alec glances up from paper, where he's charmed his quill to write. The quill falls as he shrugs his shoulder. "It's healing slowly. The Healer says it'll probably scar."

Magnus digs in his bag. After a few minutes of searching, he produces a small container. "Rub this on it," he says, handing the jar to Alec. "It should stop it from scarring."

Alec takes it skeptically. "How do you know this?"

Magnus shrugs. "I'm interning under our Healer. That," he says, nodding towards the jar, "is something I found in some book I was assigned to read."

"Thanks." And then Alec tilts his head. "Beauxbatons allows you to intern while still in school?"

"Hogwarts doesn't?" Magnus retorts.

Alec shakes his head. "We don't do that until we've graduated."

Magnus snorts. "That's a stupid way of doing things."

"It doesn't matter to me," he says. "You don't really need to study further to get a position at the Ministry." Try as he may, he can't keep the bitterness out of his tone.

"Sounds like that's not what you really want to do."

Alec laughs humorously at that. "Sometimes, it's not about what you want; sometimes, it's about what someone else wants." When Magnus arches an eyebrow, Alec elaborates. "If I don't go into politics, my parents will push my sister into it, and Merlin knows that Izzy doesn't need to be in politics. She'll make a damn good Auror someday, but she doesn't have the head for politics."

And the next moment, Magnus' lips are on his and he's not sure who started it. His lips feel nothing like Jace's, who kissed to prove there was nothing there and there wasn't. Four years of being in love with his best friend and he felt nothing when Jace kissed him. But with Magnus? Oh, Alec could easily get lost in the feel of Magnus' lips.

He pulls back at that thought. "I'm sorry. I've got to go."

"Wait!" Magnus calls. "What did I do?"

He doesn't know how to explain to Magnus that it has nothing to do with him. He doesn't know how to explain that he's a coward and hasn't come out to his parents. He doesn't know how to explain that there are expectations of him as the only Lightwood son now.

He just doesn't know so he doesn't try.

He is sitting in the kitchen, trying to drown his misery in ice cream, while listening to Jace and Izzy talk about the upcoming Yule Ball and their respective dates.

"What's wrong?" Jace asks, stopping mid-rant.

Alec furrows his eyebrows. Before he can question Jace, he continues. "Don't bother lying. You're barely paying attention. We said that you could go to the Ball with Maia and you said nothing. So I'll ask again: what's wrong?"

He spins his spoon around his bowl, thoughtfully. He tries to figure out how to explain Magnus, and he can't come up with the words.

"This wouldn't have to do with that Beauxbatons bloke you've been spending time with?" Izzy asks. When Alec rounds on her with an incredulous look, she rolls her eyes at him. "Do you really think we didn't know?"

Alec sighs. "I think I screwed up."

He puts Jace into an empty room. "Can I take Clary to the Ball?"

"Why?"

Alec sighs. "Traditionally, the Champions start off the Ball with a dance. Izzy already promised Simon that she would go with him. And besides, I really don't want to have to take my sister. Clearly, the only alternative here is Clary. We only have to have the one dance, and she'll be yours for the rest of the evening."

Jace leans against the door. "Why don't you ask that Magnus bloke? We all know that you're interested."

"Jace," he says warningly. "I'm asking this as your friend."

The other boy considers it for a long moment. "All right," he agrees. "Only because you asked."

"Thanks."

He watches as Jace disappears. He feels envious of Jace, of his courage and self-confidence. If only he had those things, maybe he would stop caring and take Magnus Bane to the Ball.

But he isn't a Gryffindor. And he won't do it.

He meets Simon and Jace at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. Jace grins at him. "Only one dance," he reminds Alec, as if Alec needed it.

Alec smiles back. "I know."

Izzy is the first to arrive. And if Alec was a better brother, he would say something about her dress choice; but he isn't so he doesn't. She takes Simon's arm, smiling at Alec. "I bet now you are glad that Mum and Dad had us take dance lessons."

"Something like that," Alec responds.

A few minutes later, Clary comes down the staircase, pressing a kiss to Jace's cheek. "I hear that you can dance," she says conversationally. "Which is a good thing because I don't."

Alec laughs. "Your Head of House didn't have you practice?"

Clary blushes, but is saved from answering by Jace. "She tripped over my feet and nearly took down three groups. Our Head of House decided that was enough practice for her."

The group hears the calls for the Champions, and Alec's heart starts to race. Izzy smirks at him. "Good luck."

He offers his arm to Clary, who takes it with a smile. And as they join the other two Champion, they see Jace, Izzy and Simon slip into the Great Hall. The doors are then shut for a moment before they are reopened.

Alec follows the lead of Tessa. He leads Clary to the dance floor, taking a spot opposite of the other two Champions. "Just follow my lead and we should be fine. Jace is just a terrible dancer," he whispers, taking her waist.

She laughs. "We'll see."

From his spot near the doors of the Great Hall, Alec watches as the crowd slowly dwindles , especially after the Weird Sisters performance ends. Mostly couples who are enjoy the slow songs are left. He wants to leave, but he also wants to keep an eye on his sister.

He feels a tap on his shoulder. When he looks up, he forgets how to breathe. If Alec thought that Magnus looked good in his blue school robes, he looked incredible in dress robes. Magnus is standing there, in black dress robes, with glitter in his hair and his gold-green eyes defined with eyeliner and more glitter.

Magnus offers Alec his hand. "May I have this dance?" When Alec looks at the hand and glances around, Magnus sighs. "There's no one around, Alexander, if that's what you're worried about."

He takes the proffered hand. Magnus pulls him closer. As they move in a waltz, Magnus starts talking. "You know, I get the impression that you never actually do what you want to do."

"I'm dancing with you, aren't I?" Alec retorts.

"Only because there's no one to see that you are," Magnus replies. "When's the last time you did something for yourself?"

He lets Magnus lead. And he tries to think of the last time he did something because he wanted to, not because it was expected. But he can't think of anything.

The dancing stops, and Alec doesn't realize that the song's changed. They don't move out of each other's arms. Magnus looks at him, his gold-green eyes soft. "That's what I thought," he says. Magnus leans in and brushes his lips against Alec's. "We could be something, if you ever wanted to try," he breathes against Alec's lips. He pulls away, out of Alec's reach. "Good night, Alexander."

And Alec is left standing there, dazed.

Even as the snow falls around him, Alec can't bring himself to go back inside. He has a jar with a fire next to him and his homework spread out. He just find that being outside is more relaxing to him.

He hears the crunching of snow. When he looks up, he notices the Beauxbatons Champion - Tessa Grey - standing in front of him. She looks underdressed to be out in the cold January air. "May I sit?" she asks, gesturing next to him.

Alec nods wordlessly and moves his things to make space in next to his fire. "How did you find this place?"

"Magnus gives good directions occasionally," she replies, smiling. She looks around. "He was quite right, the view here is amazing. But I'm really not here to talk about Magnus."

Alec furrows his eyebrows. "What are you here for then?"

"Repayment of a debt. You see, I don't quite like being indebted to someone. And I've been told that the knowledge I received about the First Task came from you," she answers.

Alec goes to shake his head, but she cuts across from him. "There's no need to deny it. Magnus isn't very good about keeping secrets from me. But there isn't anyone else who knows about that. I can swear on that."

"I just thought that we should all be on the same level," Alec says.

She laughs at him. "I suppose you told the Durmstrang Champion as well?"

Alec shakes his head. "Planned on it, but figured that she wouldn't believe me anyway."

"Tell me," she says, changing topics, "have you figured out your Egg yet?" At the mention of the object that hides the clue for the next leg of the Triwizard Tournament, Alec is hit with the realization that he has less than a month before the next Task.

"It screeches every time I try. Why?"

"What have you tried?" she questions.

Alec shrugs. "Listening, I suppose. I casted a few spells on it, but nothing seem to work."

"What about water?"

He snaps his head toward her. "Water?" He tilts his head. "How can that be of any use?"

She rises, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Just," she whispers, "trust me."

"Are you sure about this?" Jace asks.

Alec looks around the abandoned room, where they are gathered. He, thoughtfully, placed a silencing charm around the room so that others wouldn't be subjected to the Egg's screeches.

He nods. "Just as long as you guys don't stop, we'll be fine. If it doesn't work, I'll close the Egg." He moves to hold the top of the Egg, and he nods toward his friends. "Ready?"

He hears four "Agua Eructo"s and feels water. He opens the Egg and is surprised to realize that it isn't screeching. Instead, a riddle is being spoken. The water stops and the screeching begins.

"Water!" Alec demands, cringing.

A few agonizing moments later, streams of water hit the Egg again. After the Egg is finished with its riddle, Alec closes it. He pulls his wand out of his pocket and dries himself.

"How'd you figure that out?" Clary asks, breaking the silence.

Alec shrugs. "Got some advice," he replies. "Now, what about that riddle?"

As he walks down towards the boats, Alec doesn't notice anything missing. The merpeople were supposed to take something that he cared about, so why is everyone still with him?

Once on the platform, Izzy pulls him into another hug. "Remember, you only have an hour. The Bubble-Head Charm will only work that long if you remember to keep taking slow, deep breathes."

Jace pats him on the shoulder. "I still think you'd be better of transforming yourself into something that could swim."

"If only I was better at Transfiguration," Alec replies. The cannon fires for them to line up. "I'll see you in an hour."

He stands next to Tessa with the Durmstrang's Champion on the other side of her. She glances back through the crowd with a frown. And then she turns toward him. "Good luck."

He nods to her. "You too."

The cannon fires again, and Alec jumps in. The water is frigid, but he would expect nothing else since it's the middle of February. It takes him a few moments to get used to the water before he pulls his wand out. He casts the Bubble-Head charm, and starts swimming.

The more he swims, the quicker he wants to breathe. He curses Izzy and her idea of the spell lasting a full hour. He's not the best swimmer, so it takes him a little while to get to the bottom of the Black Lake, where he knows the merpeople live.

Once there, he hears the sound of the merpeople singing. He allows himself to grin a little as he swims closer. Between the edges of the seaweed, he finally notices the three people chained to one of the pillars.

He freezes as he recognizes who was taken. Tessa swims by him easily and takes starts untying the person in the middle. Once she is done, she pushes him up. Alec shakes his head and swims forward. He pulls out his wand and cuts the rope. He hooks his arm under theirs and uses his wand to propel them to the surface.

The Bubble-Head charm gives as he breaches the surface, and he hears the sound of coughing next to him.

The cheering is deafening as he approaches the platform. Izzy is there, helping him out of the water. Once he's out, he realizes how cold it really is. A blanket is thrown across his shoulders and his sister wraps her arms around him.

Over Izzy's shoulder, he can see Tessa and Magnus talking. Magnus turns and meets his eyes. And for once, Alec doesn't avert his eyes.

He's not sure what it means - Magnus being the person the judges decided he needed to find, the person that would be lost forever if he didn't find. But he has a feeling he's not the only one curious.

It's the first time since Magnus first kissed him in November that Magnus returns to Alec's favorite spot. And somehow Alec isn't surprised to see him. He wordlessly moves his books for Magnus, and makes the fire grow.

"I was there when Tessa figured out the Egg."

Alec puts away his essay. "I figured." He knows where this is going. He knows what Magnus is wondering because he was too. But now, he understands. "There's a Hogsmeade trip coming up in a few weeks. Would you like to join me?"

Magnus raises an eyebrow. "Are you asking me on a date, Alexander?"

"Yes," he replies confidently. "You were right; I don't do anything for myself. I've always done what was expected of me. But now, I want to do something I want."

Magnus smiles and it's blinding. And Alec thinks that he's made the right decision.

"Let's get this straight," Izzy says. She's pointing her spoon at him from across the table. "You asked Magnus to Hogsmeade?" There's a hint of disbelief in her voice.

Alec looks offended. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Izzy shakes her head. "No, no, no. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just surprised that you asked him."

Jace laughs. "She's also kind of mad that you didn't wait another week before you did."

"You two were betting on this?" Alec asks, eyes narrow.

Jace shrugs. "Well, technically, Simon and Clary were too." He glances back at Izzy, clapping his hand on Alec's shoulder. "Just think of it this way. I had more faith in your ability to step up and ask Magnus out than your own sister."

Izzy slaps Jace. And Alec shakes his head, a small smile on his lips.

He meets Magnus just outside of the Great Hall. He's standing with Tessa and the boy that she saved in the last Task. "Are you ready?" Alec asks, when he approaches.

Magnus nods, smiling. And it makes Alec's heart flutter.

Together, they head off to Hogsmeade. Magnus tries to take Alec's hand, and Alec can't help but flinch. "What was that?"

Alec resists the urge to close his eyes, because of course Magnus noticed. "I've never done this before," he replies. He glances around at the other students passing them. "I'm not even out at school. Only Izzy, Jace, Clary and Simon know."

Magnus' eyes soften. He grips Alec's hand a little tighter. "Thank you."

Alec hears everything Magnus is thanking him for. He squeezes back. "Come on. You'll love Hogsmeade."

"How do you survive winter?" Magnus says dramatically. He rests his head in Alec's lap, curling towards the flame Alec has in a jar. It's mid-March so it isn't cold enough for Alec to need a fire, but Magnus is freezing.

"I think it has to do with the fact that our school robes are made for this type of cold. Beauxbatons' just aren't," Alec says. He runs his hands through Magnus' glittery hair, as he watches what he's charmed his quill to write. He's long figured out that Magnus keeps the glitter in his hair by a semi-permanent sticking charm, so he doesn't worry about getting glitter all over himself.

Magnus makes an almost purring sound, causing Alec to smile. "Why can't you be normal and do your school work in the library?" he complains.

Alec forces Magnus to sit up. And he grins. Alec leans forward and presses his lips against Magnus', slowly deepening the kiss. "Because the librarian would get onto us for doing that. We can do that whenever since we're out here."

"I see your point."

Alec unwraps his scarf from around his neck and wraps it around Magnus' instead."Better?"

Magnus lies back down. "Much."

Alec gets back to his essay, a smile on his face.

"I got your message," Izzy says. She takes a seat across from him, picking up the second spoon. "I got here as fast I could." Alec glances up from the bowl and watches a concerned look pass Izzy's face. "What's going on?"

He unfolds the parchment and hands it to her. "I don't know how they found out."

Izzy reads the letter; her face getting more and more angier by the moment. When she is done, she crumbles the parchment in her hands. "How can I help?"

"I don't know," he admits. "We both knew Mum and Dad wouldn't approve of me."

They both sit in silence, leaving the ice cream untouched.

"You're usually quiet, but not this quiet," Magnus notes. "What's going on?"

Alec freezes. Of course he would notice. "I got a letter from my parents recently," he says. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. "They made it very clear that they don't approve of my relationship with you."

And for the first time, he leaves Magnus speechless.

"The thing is that I knew that they wouldn't. If it was a year ago, it wouldn't be so bad. But now," Alec says, "it's worse."

"What happened a year ago?"

He shakes his head slowly. "My parents were at work, and my sister and I were here. Our little brother," Alec's voice trembles and he shakes. "Our little brother, Max, was at home with with the House Elves when Valentine's men raided our house. He...he died." Tears slip down Alec's face at the memory.

Magnus wraps his arms around Alec and they stay silence for a while. It's comforting.

"Before that, Izzy always tried to get me to tell my parents about being gay. Told me that there was still Max to carry on the family name, so our parents really couldn't get angry," Alec explains. "But I could never find the right words to tell them."

"Oh Alexander," Magnus whispers, his voice laced with sadness.

And it makes Alec cry more. He hasn't spoken about his brother since the incident. It feels freeing to tell Magnus.

"What do you mean that Mum and Dad are coming to the Third Task?" Alec demands.

Izzy throws her hands up. "I don't know, okay? Apparently the officials have invited all of the families of the Champions. And you know Mum and Dad. They will do anything to keep up appearances."

Alec squeezes his eyes shut, pressing the palm of his hands into his eyes. Of course his parents would come to the Task in two weeks. He honestly wouldn't expect anything less from 'perfect Purebloods'. After a few minutes, he looks back at his sister. "Thanks for telling me. I have a Charms essay due in an hour and I haven't finished it yet."

"Been spending too much time with Magnus, have we?" she teases as he exits the abandoned classroom.

He flicks her off.

The tent for the Third Task is very similar to the one for the First, only bigger. All three Champions and their friends and family are gathered.

Alec is surrounded by the ones he treasures most in the world and it makes him feel calm. The warning cannon fires and Alec sighs. "Five minutes," he reminds everyone.

His parents hug him, but Alec knows it's only for show. Jace gives him a grin and claps him on the shoulder. "You should be fine," he assures Alec confidently. "I have faith."

Izzy pulls him into a tight hug. "Be careful. Remember your spells. And I swear, Alec, you better come back or I will kill you myself." Softer, she whispers, "Don't make me lose another brother."

Alec swallows thickly. All of his calmness disappears and is replaced by nerves.

"Alexander."

The entire group turns toward the sound of the voice. Magnus is standing there, almost completely covered in glitter. But around his neck hangs Alec's Hufflepuff scarf.

"Shouldn't you be giving advice to Tessa?" Alec asks, raising his eyebrow.

Magnus glances back over his shoulder to where Tessa is standing. "She'll be fine. She has Jem and Will to advise her." He grabs Alec's and and pulls him toward him, away from his parents. "I thought you would want a kiss for good luck."

Before Alec can respond, Magnus is kissing him. When they break apart, Alec is grinning. Magnus leans his forehead against Alec's. "I love you." It's so soft that Alec barely hears it.

"Do you mean it?"

Magnus nods. "Yes, Alexander, I do."

Before Alec gets a chance to respond, the cannon goes off again. He presses his lips quickly to Magnus' again, murmuring, "I love you too," against them. To his family, he waves. "Bye!"

"Come take a seat next to me," Izzy says.

Magnus glances at Izzy and then her parents. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Nonsense," she says, waving her hand. "Unless you want to sit with your friends." Magnus considers it for a moment. And then he follows her. "You know, I've never seen my brother happier than he is with you."

"Is that why you asked me to join you? To tell me not to hurt your brother?"

She smiles slyly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Magnus rolls his eyes.

Magnus sighs in relief as Tessa makes it back to the front, proudly holding the Triwizard Cup. Durmstrang's Champion - Camille - isn't far behind her, a smirk on her lips. Magnus makes his way towards Tessa, looking around for Alec. But there's no sign of him.

Alec's friends and family must've realized this too as they start standing.

He hears Izzy shout, "NO!" And he turns to where the officials are talking with them. He glances at Tessa and back at the family, and starts back towards the family, Tessa not far on his heels.

"What is going on?" he demands.

The officials look at Magnus and dismiss him. "I'm sorry, but we can't -"

Izzy glances up from where her face is buried in Jace's chest. There's tear streaks down her face. And it hits Magnus. "No," he says, shaking his head.

"He didn't...he's -" Izzy breaks off. She turns back into Jace's chest, her shoulders shaking.

"No," Magnus repeats.

He feels a hand on his arm. He turns to see Tessa. She gives him a sympathetic look and pulls him into a hug. "I'm sorry, Magnus."

He hears whispers of "this wasn't an accident" and "foul-play" and "murder". And for the first time, Magnus knows what it feels like for the world to stop. He can't look at Hogwarts now, can't look at Izzy or Jace without thinking of beautiful, innocent Alec. Can't look at Alec's unmoving body without his heart aching at the thought of never kissing him again; can't look without see the future that they could've had together.

His heart is shattering, and there's no way mend it.