Aliana's P.O.V

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I didn't understand it. Sure, my father is the Potions Master and the Head of Slytherin, but does everyone have to act so immature at me being sorted into Gryffindor? They don't even know me, yet the pathetic first years are edging further and further away from me during dinner. It was really childish. I was quiet throughout dinner, hearing people introducing themselves to each other and hearing some people talk about me and my brothers. I mentally rolled my eyes. They may be Gryffindors, but honestly! If they wanted to talk about me without me knowing, they should make sure I'm not sitting right beside them.

Dinner drifted on slower than it could have ever gone. I hardly ate anything on my plate. I might have eaten a few carrots and a few pieces of chicken, but that was it. I wasn't really hungry after the events that happened. I daren't look up from my plate, in fear that my father was glaring at me (for a reason I do not know why. It isn't my fault I'm in Gryffindor. It's that blasted hat's fault) or to see my brothers giving me sympathetic looks. Well, they all can take their looks and go to hell. I don't need sympathy. I was quite happy being taught at Beaubatons, where no-one knew my father, but no. Dumbledore had to suggest us coming here for a "better education".

When we were all dismissed to go to bed, I heard everyone move to leave the hall. My eyes were still on the spot where my plate used to be. I didn't move an inch for 5 minutes or so. I could hear 4 different pairs of feet approach me. I recognised them immediately, being my brothers, my father's and Draco's footsteps. I slowly looked up to see Draco and Dad sitting opposite me. I could feel Michael and Alex sit either side of me. Michael's arm went around my waist as I rested my head on Alex's shoulder.

We were all sat in silence for a while. Even though me and Draco weren't the best of friends, I could feel his sympathy for me radiating from his facial expression. I had known him from the young age of 2 months old, and we've been friends since. Yes, that means I am older than him, which I don't let him forget. He's been more of Michael's best friend more than mine, but I don't really care. I've always had Alex with me. He has to be my favourite brother, even if me and Michael are twins.

"This silence is freaking me out." I finally said. It was freaking me out. I hadn't been in this much silence with them since I heard I was coming here when I came back from Beaubatons. Even then, we didn't speak for 5 minutes.

"What do you want us to say?" Dad asked softly, looking at me with a sad expression on his face. "'Congratulations for making it to Gryffindor'? You know we can't say that, love." I sighed, closing my eyes.

"You could at least try and be happy that I'm still alive. At least you'll see me every day." I said, opening my eyes, looking at my father. My eyes flickered to Draco, before they flickered back to dad. "You have to be mean to me, don't you?" I asked them. I heard them sigh and saw them exchange glances.

"It'll keep up the appearance that Slytherins do not like Gryffindors." Draco said, sounding like he did not wish to be horrid to me. "If we did not have this House Rivalry, I would act how I would act around you."

"What? Running after me and trying to tickle me with Meek?" I asked with a small smile. Smiles also appeared on my boys' faces, remembering the good times we had before this House business happened. I sniffed a little, trying desperately to not cry in front of them about something silly like this.

"Don't cry." Michael begged, giving me a soft squeeze. I squealed a little when he squeezed my ticklish spots. "Sorry. But please don't cry. We hate seeing you cry, Ali." I could feel Alex nodding his head in agreement, which caused me to sniff even more. I hated crying. I hated showing my emotions. I was brought up to believe that if no-one knew something was wrong, they wouldn't take pity on me.

"I won't cry." I muttered, even though we all knew that I would. Damn these female hormones. I felt one of the tears roll down my cheek, and before I knew it, I was crying my heart out on Alex's shoulder. I hoped he wouldn't mind. After all, I was ruining his new robes with my tears, mascara, eye-liner and foundation. He'd probably make me wash them by hand at the weekend.

"Honey, just cry it out. We won't think any less of you." Alex's quiet, comforting words made me cry even more. I didn't deserve to have him, Michael, Draco or dad with me. They were too perfect for me to have as a family, even though Draco technically wasn't part of my family. Alex's arm was wrapped around my shoulder, giving me an awkward hug, whilst Michael rested his head on my shoulder so the three of us were in this big, awkward side-hug

"I'd best go up to the Common Room and get some sleep." I managed to say when my crying slowly stopped. I sat up, making sure my brothers didn't remove their arms from around me and wiped my eyes, sighing angrily when I saw that my make-up had run. "But not before I sort myself out." Draco and dad laughed loudly, whilst Michael and Alex rolled their eyes. "Hey, if I want to be presentable, I have to look good."

"You look fine," Michael said with a small smile. I sighed again. "Let us walk you back to the Common Room."

"Do you even know where it is? Or what the password is?" I asked, looking at them, before I looked at dad. He gave me an exasperated look, before he stood up

"Come on. Let's all walk her back, then go to the Common Room and get some sleep ourselves." I smiled as I stood up with Michael, Alex, Draco and dad. Whilst we walked to my Common Room, we joked about many different random things like old times. I was glad that nothing would change outside of class. It was only being in class that I was worried about.