Chapter Two:

The Sorting had had sung, the first years had been sorted, and the feast had commenced.

'Our last ever welcome feast at Hogwarts' Alice sighed, looking downcast, and Alina's heart gave a flip at the words.

'You said that about packing your trunk, getting on the train, getting on the carriages to the Castle, listening to the Sorting Hat…are you going to be doing this all year, Al?' Lily asked.

'She'll be doing this all year' Polly confirmed, as Alice just looked around the room with a tragic expression.

A shrill laugh interrupted their conversation, and Alina felt herself automatically flinch at the sound.

Like knives on a chalk board.

Perhaps she had been too kind when she had thought that Sirius was the only person she had been dreading seeing upon her return to Hogwarts, for the mere sound of Sophie Steel's laugh immediately irritated her.

She glanced down the table, and sure enough, three people down, hanging off of Sirius Black's arm, was the familiar curly brown hair and dark green eyes of Sophie Steel.

'It looks like Sirius is her victim this term' Polly observed, throwing Alina a sideways glance, of which she chose to ignore.

'Good luck to him' she muttered nonchalantly 'wasn't it James last term?'

'Even she's got fed up of Potter' Lily smirked.

'Nope, apparently they got together at the Christmas Ball last year' Alice informed her through a mouthful of potatoes 'and he ditched her shortly after…I think she was seeing Mark Dermett around the same time anyway'

'Like mother like daughter' Polly remarked, referring to the notorious Katrina Steel, infamous for her marriages and subsequent divorces to rich men.

Lily made no reply, but Alina noticed a slight tinge of colour to her cheeks, and noted the unnecessarily vicious way she stabbed the carrot on her plate with her fork.

'I'm so full' Alina groaned.

'Then stop eating!' Polly told her, sounding exasperated.

Alina grinned at the motherly tone she had grown accustomed to hearing in Polly's voice.

'But it is so good!' she moaned, gazing lovingly down to the apple crumble and custard in her bowl.

'Oh for goodness sake Alli, anyone would think you didn't get fed over the summer.' Polly sighed.

Alina's predicament was solved by the movement from the front of the hall, as Dumbledore stood to address them.

'Welcome!' he beamed around the room, his twinkling eyes seeming to meet every student's gaze before him 'that is, welcome to all those who are new to Hogwarts! And welcome back to the many familiar faces that I can see! As always, there are a few notices that must be given, but before I do so I have the pleasure of introducing a new student that will be joining us, in the seventh year.'

A flurry of whispers swept through the great hall. Heads were turning; pupils were kneeling out of their seats in an attempt to spot the new student.

'There hasn't been a new student in…well…in forever!' Alice whispered excitedly.

'I wonder if it's a boy or a girl!' Lily added.

'I hope she's fit!' Sirius announced in a voice too loud for a whisper, earning a few chuckles.

'Yes, yes, it is all very exciting' Dumbledore continued, bringing the whispering to a standstill 'it is not often we get to welcome new students in this fashion, so I hope you all make our new member very welcome; Marcus De'Valle has been sorted into Slytherin and I am sure he will be very happy there.'

Slytherin table erupted into a loud cheer and round of applause, and all around comments and opinions were being voiced.

Eventually, Dumbledore continued in informing the students of the usual notices.

But not a word was heard by Alina. Instead she sat dumbfounded, her mouth slightly agape, her heart racing and her mind in whirl.

Surely not. Surely not.

'Alli? Are you all right?'

'Please no, please no, please no' she whispered out loud, praying for this to be a massive coincidence as she knelt up on the bench and frantically scanned the Slytherin table; until with a gut wrenching disappointment, her eyes connected with his.

He was staring directly at her, utterly expressionless, but his eyes as cold as always.

'Alli?' Lily's voice dragged Alina from her stupor, and she turned away to meet the concerned green orbs.

'Sorry' she felt herself grin lightly 'shall we go up to the Common room?'

'Well I sort of need to go and meet McGonnagall about Head duties…but are you sure you're all right? Who were you looking for?'

Alina grimaced in response as they left the Great Hall.

She knew that they would all know eventually, there was no way on earth Alice wouldn't recognise him, so there was no point delaying the inevitable.

'Well, you see…Marcus De'Valle is sort of –'

'Lady Alina?'

Alina closed her eyes slowly, almost calmly, as she told herself serenely that those words had not just been uttered from behind her.

But the loud sniggers that sounded from a few feet away, and Sirius Black's delighted cry of 'please tell me this isn't a joke, even if it is, just please tell me it isn't.' was enough to pop the bubble she had tried to create.

Counting to ten, Alina turned to the source of the voice.

Marcus De'Valle, all blonde hair and dark eyes, was standing directly before her.

'It's a pleasure to see you again, Lady Alina' he continued, acting oblivious to her mortification.

Oblivious my arse.

'It's Alina. Just Alina' she told him in a cold tone, and watched as his friendly mask washed away and revealed a far darker expression.

His eyes regarded her with a cool, calculating glare and she stared back at him blankly, revealing no emotion.

'It was so nice to spend time with you and your family this summer, the Huntingdon Ball was most enjoyable –'

'What are you doing here Marcus?' she demanded impatiently.

'Oh didn't your father tell you? We were only shooting with him last weekend when we told him the news. My father felt it would be best for me to finish my final year here at Hogwarts rather than Durmstrang…'

'No my father didn't tell me. I would have thought you'd be more suited at Durmstrang' she shrugged 'anyway, I have to go. See you' she dismissed him, her tone bored but she could not help the slight tremble of anger in her hands.

She just knew her father had to have something to do with his being here.

'See you around…Alina'

She chose not to acknowledge the malice in his tone, and instead she stomped off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.

'Coming?' she turned to ask her friends, who were all still gaping at the exchange, all looking equally baffled.

'Alina what was that abou –' Lily began, before shaking her head 'I don't have time…I'll talk to you later! This shouldn't take too long' she called as she made her way in the opposite direction to them.

'So what was that about? Polly continued, as they climbed the remaining stairs to the common room.

'I knew I recognised him!' Alice's excited yell, causing a few second years to jump in alarm, sounded from a few feet behind them, and she quickly caught up waving her magazine madly in the air.

'He's the mystery man!' she grinned, although the expression was short lived as an obnoxious voice interrupted them.

'What mystery man?'

'Don't start Black' she warned through gritted teeth, turning to face Sirius.

Alina flinched at the painfully frantic movement from Alice to conceal the magazine she was holding, she knew what would happen before it even occurred…

'Accio Magazine' Sirius drawled, and in a second the magazine was out of Alice's clutch and straight into his hands.

They all watched, with a moment of utter stillness, as Sirius scanned the article. His eyes widening, a slight frown beginning to crease his forehead, before his gaze returned back to them all, filled with nothing less than complete glee.

'Oh now Lady Alina!' he mocked 'all grown up and ready to join the social elite now are you?'

'Shut it Black' Alina growled, her fingers beginning to burn with a strange electric like tingle.

'Oh I am sorry my Lady!' he continued, his eyes sparkling with a glint of pleasure at her obvious irritation.

Why is he doing this she mentally hissed after what happened last year, why would he start commenting on this topic again….

As if reading her mind, Remus stepped forward, the glimmer of amusement no longer present in his eyes.

'Come on Padfoot, let's go to the common room –'

'Oh come off it Moony, it's all a joke, right?' he brushed his friend off, and directed the question at Alina, grinning wickedly 'If Blake can't handle a joke –'

'It wasn't a very funny joke at the end of last year' Remus reminded his friend calmly, although making no further effort to hinder him.

'Or is it because we're just not socially elite enough to be talking to her, is that right?' he let out a wolfish laugh, and to Alina's utter rage she heard the high pitched giggle of Sophie Steel from amongst the gathering crowd of students.

DeJa Vu.

'Isn't it your family that are all about being socially elite, Black?' she found herself taunting, and a triumphant smirk tugged at her lips as she saw the arrogance falter on his expression and instead a dark look of rage replace it.

'I'm sure you feel disgusted at having to hold a Muggle magazine don't you?' she continued, before realising perhaps she had tested his patience too far.

Sirius Black was known for his temper.

Her stomach did a flip as before she even had a moment to consider drawing her own, she found herself staring down her nose at the tip of Sirius' wand.

'You wouldn't dare' she spat.

'Sirius!' Remus warned, but was completely ignored.

'Try me' Sirius growled, his eyes alight with something that she couldn't quite place.

There was a moment of fear as she watched his mouth open to form a spell, and the tingling in her fingers spread like a flood throughout her entire body.

Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. She silently begged, knowing from the taunting expression that it would do no use.

'Vexfacio!'

No, no, no, no, no, no.

An orange light shot from his wand, and the tingling in her body seemed to burn like flames.

STOP. STOP. STOP.

And it did.

Midway through the air the jet of orange light froze, faltered and then evaporated, as if it had never existed.

' – Sirius Black! Alina Blake! What on earth do you think you are doing!' McGonagall marched towards them, completely washing away the charged atmosphere in the corridor, and the crowd of students immediately scattered.

Neither Alina nor Sirius moved a muscle at the sound of their Head of House's words. Instead, both were staring dumbfounded at one another, both silently questioning why, and how, the jet of orange light had suddenly frozen and disappeared.

How had it not connected with her? They had both seen it flying straight at her face…

'How did you –' Sirius spluttered, and Alina shook her head to indicate the lack of explanation.

'Duelling in the corridors! On the first night of term?'

Their silent conversation was immediately broken as McGonagall reached them, her face the epitome of anger and her voice laced with ice.

'This is utterly beyond me…this is despicable!' she hissed 'Not only are you giving Gryffindor a bad name, but you are seventh year students displaying outrageous behavior for those younger than you! Miss Blake after last term I did not think that I would see this type of behavior from you again…and Mr Black, well I thought you would at least show an attempt at improving your behavior. You should be setting an example!'

Alina felt sick at her head of house's rebuke. It was true, after last year she had sworn that she would not duel in that way again, particularly after the letter that had been sent home…

She shivered at the memory of her father's reaction.

And yet here she was; in the same situation, once again, with Sirius Black.

She felt ashamed, making up her mind there and then to make a conscious effort to work harder this year.

'I'm so sorry Professor, I promise It won't happen again' she replied, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment at having to be scolded at her age.

'I should think not Miss Blake' Professor McGonagall eyed her steadily, before shaking her head 'and you'll have time to consider your actions this Wednesday, in detention.'

'Detention?' Sirius groaned 'but it's the first night, couldn't you give us just one chance?'

'Add three zero's to the end of that number and you'll get the total of how many chances I have already given you over the years Mr Black' McGonagall replied archly 'you're lucky I'm not taking points away – now back to your common room and I do not want to hear about any more trouble regarding the two of you again.'

'He used to be all right! I mean I always knew he could be a bit of a tosser – but we always got on all right, didn't we?' Alina turned to Polly, waiting for a response.

'Well you've always argued…' she began fairly.

'Well yes, but that's just stupid stuff, we've always got on for the most part –'

'You're the only girl he really bothers speaking to unless he's trying to get them in a broom closet' Alice reasoned, shrugging.

'Well…yeah…I guess' Alina frowned, before continuing pacing their dormitory 'so why has he decided to become such a massive arse!'

'When he realised it got him much more attention' Polly replied, and Alina glanced at her, frowning slightly in confusion.

'What do you –'

'JAMES POTTER!'

With an almighty crash, the dormitory door flew open, connecting with the wall – revealing a red faced Lily Potter.

'JAMES BLOODY POTTER!' Lily bellowed again, still to no reply.

Her three friends were too busy staring aghast in utter shock to be able to respond.

Never, in the nearing seven years that they had known the girl, had they ever heard Lily Potter shout. Not even after the betrayal of her childhood friend…

'What the hell has he done?' Alina managed to choke out, shuddering as she almost seemed to physically inhale the waves of rage seeping from her friend.

'He – He – ARGH!' she stamped her foot to emphasize her point and shook her fists.

'Lily, breathe! Alina told her, crossing the room quickly and approaching the girl, something which the other two seemed unwilling to even contemplate trying.

'He's gone and – how can Dumbledore –ARGH!'

'Lily, breathe!' Alina told her again, holding either side of Lily's shoulders and forcing her to meet her gaze 'breathe' she told her again, and she could feel Lily beginning to relax slightly.

'Now, what has happened?' Alina asked, wondering what curse was going to be painful enough to place on the boy.

The Cruiatus probably she thought inwardly, judging by how bad it must have been to get Lily into such a state.

'James Potter' she spat 'is Head Boy.'

Silence.

Silence filled the room, as Alina, and she was sure both Polly and Alice, blinked expectantly at their friend, waiting for her to assure them that she was joking, and give them the real reason for her anger.

But a few seconds past, and Lily's expression of utter outrage had not faded.

'Y-You're not being serious, right?' Alice questioned, for once sounding slightly out of words.

'Of course I'm being serious!' Lily hissed.

'Lily…that's what has gotten you so angry?' Polly asked, aiming for clarification.

'Of course!'

'But why?' Alina finally asked the question they were all wondering.

'I have no idea, he's spent the last six years taunting other students, getting into trouble, having detention and spending no time at all in the Library –' Lily began to rant.

'-no Lil' Alina quickly interrupted, having heard the 'James Potter Speech' too many times before 'I meant, why are you so angry?'

Lily froze, her mouth open in the perfect 'o' before slowly crossing the room and sitting on her bed.

'Because I've worked for Head Girl…and he hasn't worked for anything. He never works for anything. He's just arrogant…and stupid.'

Alina had to supress the grin at how childish Lily's final words sounded and instead tried to change the subject.

'Well if it's any consolation, you get to give me a lecture now' she informed her lightly.

'Huh? Why?' Lily asked.

'Because I got detention.'

'I just don't understand why we have to have lessons with the sodding Snakes' James Potter grumbled loudly, and Alina couldn't help but agree with him.

It was their final lesson of the day, and unfortunately Defence Against the Dark Arts was shared with Slytherin.

Alina sat between Polly and Lily, both of whom were busy arranging their desks with an assortment of quills, parchment and text books.

'That book wasn't even on our reading list!' Alina groaned, staring baffled at Lily who blushed in response.

'It was just a bit of extra reading to help ease into the course this year' she replied 'in case you didn't know, we do have NEWTS' she added tartly.

Alina opened her mouth to form a sarcastic remark but was interrupted by the arrival of Professor Blyton, a rather overweight, middle-aged man, with curly grey hair and the scent of gingerbread.

'Good afternoon class!' he greeted, in a matter of fact tone 'This year will comprise of a variety of topics. You will be set written tasks, there will be an intense reading list – of which is essential to complete, and your defensive skills shall be tested through practical examination.'

Alina briefly wondered what part of this speech required being written down as she glanced either side of her at her two friends, both scribbling manically.

'Today, however, being your first lesson. I thought we could begin with the practical element –'Professor Blyton's words were drowned out slightly by the buzz of excitement that tremorred through the classroom.

'-Yes, yes, I appreciate that this is very exciting' Professor Blyton hushed them, his tone laced with boredom 'in pairs, you will each demonstrate a duel before the rest of your peers. Needless to say, dark magic is strictly forbidden, you must follow the correct duelling procedures as set down by the Dueling Act 1547 –'

'Oh for Goodness sake.' Alina huffed quietly, and Lily spared her a sympathetic glance, before turning her attention back to Professor Blyton.

Whilst a perfectly good teacher, this was one aspect that teachers seemed intent on adopting and that Alina could never forgive them for; their preferred system of alphabetic pairing.

'Albert Bright and Dexter Baines ….Gina Cable and William Crestley …'

Alina held her breath, waiting for the inevitable.

'Sirius Black and…oh yes, wait one moment –'

Alina jerked her head up, and to her left she caught Sirius doing the same.

'It has been suggested by your Head of House that you two should not work together for this task' he stated blandly, eyeing the two of them.

I don't have to work with him she sighed with relief, knowing that the duel between them would have grown far too heated for the classroom.

'Sirius Black and Cecilia O'Mahoney….Alina Blake and Marcus De'Valle –'

'What?'

The word had left her lips before she had a chance to stop herself, and Proffessor Blyton froze mid-speech and slowly glanced up at her.

'Is there a problem, Miss Blake?' he asked archly.

Alina clenched her teeth.

'No Proffessor, sorry –'

Professor Blyton continued addressing the class, and Alina turned to meet Marcus' gaze with a cold glare.

As his icy pupils met her own she flinched as she thought back to the previous summer.

She had been dreading that evening. The Huntington Ball; Blake Manor's highest social event of the summer.

Her mother had shown a strange display of activity, hustling and bustling throughout the Manor to ensure that everything was in place – there were far too many Muggle's around for the use of their House Elf.

Her father had been locked away, as usual, in his study.

And Alina, had spent the day being primped, pampered, and a variety of other 'girly' things that were only ever enjoyable when shared with a friend.

Nevertheless, just like her mother, Alina had not shirked her responsibilities and by seven pm was making her way throughout the large room, mingling with their guests, a smile plastered on her face and laughing merrily at jokes that held no humour.

It wasn't until she was introduced to her father's business partner, and his family, that her night so drastically improved.

Marcus' good looks had not been lost on her, his tall frame and piercing onyx eyes held an elegant air and she had felt her stomach tighten in knots as he smiled warmly at her, taking her hand; his eyes never leaving hers.

He had been quiet, yet friendly. He had made her laugh as he mocked the other guests and made her blush as he asked her to dance.

In essence, she had felt an attraction towards him that she had not felt for anyone before, other than Sirius Black.

'There aren't any girls like you at Durmstrang' he had breathed quietly, and she had widened her eyes in surprise as she realised that he was a wizard 'you better Owl me, this summer'

She had immediately agreed.

'Marcus and Alina!'

Professor Blyton's voice broke her from her memories, and she blinked in surprise, realising that Sirius Black had completely destroyed his partner, and it was now her turn to duel.

Pressing her lips together in a grim line, she made her way to the front of the classroom and turned to face her opponent.

Their eyes locked, and very slowly they bowed to one another, both barely curving their spines.

A sadistic glint exuded from his pupils, and a freezing blade sliced through her stomach as she recalled seeing that same expression on his face once before.

Her father had come early that night, it was barely evening and he had slipped into her room.

Her mother hadn't even turned off her light.

The shock of his appearance alone had made it one of the worst experiences of her summer, she had found herself unable to lock away her emotions, unable to extract her conscious away from what he was doing to her.

The darkness had engulfed her and she had had to live through every second.

Three hours later she had still been trembling, her breath had still been catching and her chest had felt tight.

She would not sleep for hours, she had known that instantly, so instead she had climbed out of bed and slipped out into the hallway.

Blinky, her house elf, would be more than happy to provide her with some hot chocolate and perhaps even some biscuits.

She had heard the voices just as she had reached the bottom of the staircase.

Had it just been her father she would not have even considered it, but there were two others with him, so very slowly, she crept towards the slightly ajar door; curiosity getting the best of her.

She barely dared to breathe as she peeked into the lit study, and managed to mask her surprised gasp at the sight of Marcus and his father.

'If she is like her mother she'd be the perfect choice' Mr De'Valle stated 'but we have seen no proof.'

'She has taken after her mother in every other way' she heard her father respond 'she looks almost identical to her when she was her age.'

'Her beauty is undeniable' Mr De'Valle reasoned 'but it is her power that we must be certain about.'

'I will not be betrothed to a half-blood unless I am certain that she possesses the power of –'

Alina had felt sick at the disgust in Marcus' voice, and even more so at his words…betrothed?

'I may not be a person of magic, but I have high influence in my world…influence that has already proved invaluable to your master –'

'Do not try and pretend that you hold any importance here, De'Valle. Your position does little more than keep you alive.' Mr De' Valle remarked in a bored tone.

'I am a pureblooded wizard, Richard.' Marcus had added coldly, glaring at the man before him 'If I am going to marry someone with dirty blood I want insurance that –'

'You don't have to worry about marrying someone with 'dirty blood.' I would rather marry a House Elf than you!'

She had been unable to prevent herself. Her temper had flared and a rush of burning energy had erupted in the core of her chest. They had all turned in shock to stare at her as the door had burst open.

She had received the worst beating of her life that night.

'Three…two….one….Duel.'

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