A/n: Hi:)

So just to introduce this story, I'll start off by saying that this is my first fanfiction story ever. I'm usually a non-fiction writer, so forgive me if this story isn't that great. This story idea has been nagging me forever, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to expand on my writing portfolio :) I'll try to update often!

Anyway, enough of my blabbering. On to the show (or story. -laughs- Oh my. What a lame joke :p )

Love, Imaiya

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CHAPTER TWO

"S- Serena?" Alex asked as he saw at his eldest sister on the opposite side of the room. Serena looked up and widened her eyes at the sight of her armed brother.

The study was a large, open room, very similar to the Headmaster's office in Hogwarts. There was only one elaborate window situated on the other side of the room and a large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. The walls could never be seen because of the overwhelming amount of bookcases and desks that the Malfoy family had inherited. The study was a place where Draco did most of his Auror work when he wasn't at the Ministry. Usually, no one was allowed here because of the potentially dangerous information that he left behind.

Right now, the study was dark, almost dark enough to make it impossible to focus on any object in the room. But the moon was shining brightly this night, and brought in a ray of light through the window. Crouched on the window's ledge was Serena Malfoy, her mouth open and her grey-blue eyes filled with surprise. Her red hair was up in a messy bun and she was still wearing her clothes from that morning.

"Serena," Alex repeated. "What- what are you doing here?"

Serena quickly scrambled off the ledge and stood up, immediately wiping away any of the surprise from her eyes. It was a stance that Alex recognized well; she used it when she was feeling vulnerable. She now placed both her hands on her hips and arched a single eyebrow.

"Why do you care?" Serena sneered, her chin raised. Alex said nothing. "Brought someone for me to shag? I really do appreciate all the concern you have for my sex life." She menacingly narrowed her eyes

Alex winced. It was one thing to hear your parents talking about sex; it was a completely different one to hear your sister talk about it. "You didn't answer my question," Alex said. It was crucial to dodge her previous question at all costs; he didn't want to talk any further about...well, you know.

"Why should I?" Serena asked. Seeing that Alex was not going to give up that easy, she replied. "If you must know, I was just- studying."

"At three in the morning? In the middle of July?" Alex resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Surely Serena could come up with something better than that.

Serena simply continued to gaze at him with hate filled eyes, her lips set in a straight line. Alex knew she was trying to make him feel uncomfortable so he would leave, and it was beginning to work. Desperate to rid himself of her intense stare, he tried another tactic. Apologizing. " I'm sorry for what I said, O.K?" Alex winced once more. His 'apology' sounded much more tactless than what he was going for.

Serena gave a short laugh; it was an emotionless, cold laugh. "No, not O.K. Nothing you say can make this O.K, Alexander." Her expression began to waver. She now showed something much worse than anger. Dejection. Serena Malfoy, always confident, and never openly vulnerable in her seventeen years of life, now looked like she had just given up the Quidditch Cup. Alex thought he'd never see the day.

Serena paused for a moment, her eyes lowered to the ground. Abruptly, she gave Alex a small smile. "But I'm not angry at you, if that's what you're worried about," she began. "I think you're the only one that has actually told me the truth. I am a nerdy freak who hasn't got shagged. And thanks to you, now I know it for myself." She bitterly laughed.

Alex felt his stomach drop and his hands turn clammy. This was not what he wanted to hear. He needed to fix this. "Serena, I was wrong. I was angry, that's all. You're not a nerdy freak."

"People's real emotions come out in uncomfortable situations," Serena replied cryptically. Alex crinkled his eyebrows; he recognized that saying from somewhere.

"Dad. He told us when he and Uncle Ron were arguing," Serena reminded, as if reading Alex's mind.

"Whatever. Listen, that saying doesn't apply here. I don't think that you're...I don't think that about you, I swear. I was just angry. Now will you please go back to your room before Mum or Dad finds us here?"

"No. You can go, but I'm staying here." She turned back to the window.

Alex crossed his arms and stood there defiantly. "I'm not leaving without you."

Serena snorted. "Don't act all protective now. You made your feelings toward me very clear yesterday. They weren't all that protective."

Alex felt himself getting angrier by the second. "What more does she want?" he thought frustratingly. He'd already apologized, and had tried reasoning with her. It was as if she was taunting him. The more she stood there with that irritating smirk, the more furious Alex felt. He knew that he, of all people, shouldn't be getting frustrated, but that's what he felt.

"Will you stop being such a baby? You get teased all the time. What does it matter?" Alex snapped.

Serena evilly smiled and cocked her head to her right. "Oh, its not the teasing Alex." She paused and grinned even wider. "I'm just waiting for a good shag."

That was it. Alex reached his breaking point and by the looks of it, Serena knew it too. She stepped back and bumped into the window ledge, her eyes looking a little frightened.

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped as she saw Alex menacingly walking forward. His head was spinning and his legs felt stiff. His heart was beating furiously and the blood rushed to his ears.

"You know what Serena?" Alex spat angrily. He took another step forward. "Maybe you never get shagged because you're so. Fucking. Stubborn." Serena gave a little gasp, but Alex continued on. "You think you're the only victim here. But if you'd been listening to anything I've been saying so far, you'd know that I'm sorry for what I've said. Stop thinking about yourself, damn it. I haven't gotten ANY sleep, Mum probably hates me, and on top of that, I have to clean your fucking rooms! You don't think it's hard for me? To have two sisters always teamed up together against you?" Alex was now right in front of Serena, towering over her, his nostrils flaring and his eyes blazing. He was taller than her by at least three inches, which didn't help to make him seem any less intimidating. Serena was frozen not knowing what to say. They stood there for what seemed like hours. Suddenly, Alex stumbled backwards, his face masked with shock.

"I'm-I'm sorry Serena. I shouldn't have done that," Alex stuttered. He breathed in heavily and closed his eyes. "Why did I have to go and do that?" he thought miserably. He counted to five and opened his eyes to see Serena hesitantly walk towards him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Alex," she began. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way."

"Yeah, well..." Alex muttered. "I do."

Serena removed her hand from his shoulder and stepped back so Alex could see her face. She began to speak. "Alex, no matter what Lily and I say or do, we always love you. I thought you knew that." She smirked, and with good reason. It wasn't a Malfoy habit to express sentimental emotions. "And the reason I got so upset wasn't because of what you said, but the fact that you looked like you meant it. It's just that I always thought that no matter what other people said about me, my family always unconditionally loved me. And what you said yesterday just brought that all to an end. I know I'm not popular like Lily, and no boy really likes me." She blushed and gave a strange, short giggle. Alex cringed. Serena wasn't the giggling type. "But you guys I can always depend on. And that's what really keeps me- happy." Serena stopped speaking and smiled, looking more happy right then than she had in days. She looked flustered as if she had been wanting to say this for a very long time; Alex didn't doubt that she had.

Alex cleared his throat and paused. "Well then... those boys are idiots," he stated seriously. He cracked a small grin and Serena gave a chuckle. Secretly, Alex breathed a sigh of relief. He and his sister were now back on friendly terms.

Serena let out a small yawn. "Well I'm going to bed now. We have to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow don't we?"

"Yeah, I think. New year and all."

"Well g'night then." She gave him a peck on the cheek and walked towards the door. As she was about to leave, Alex spun around and took a step forward to the door.

"Wait," he said.

Serena turned around and impatiently tapped her foot. After a few moments she rolled her eyes and said, "What?"

"I love you guys too," Alex said clearly. It felt as if a weight lifted of his chest. "And I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I didn't mean it."

Serena smiled understandingly. "I know you didn't. Get some sleep. We'll need it for tomorrow." And with that, she walked out of the room. Alex stood there until she left and quickly looked around the study and found his wand. Stuffing it in his pocket, Alex ran out the door, towards the comfort of his warm bed. It had been a long night.