A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! BE SURE TO CHECK OUT I'M A SKYSCRAPER'S STORY "WILL WE FIND A HOME JUSTIN" IT'S AMAZING!

They shook hands as Ginny shot glares at Alex. Alex didn't notice. Alex stared at Harry, while Justin stared at Hermione. Maybe living here wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Well now that the annoying pest has been dealt with let's go get our books." Hermione smiled.

Alex and Justin followed behind them.

"So what's its like, Hogwarts I mean." Alex asked.

"It's a huge school. I got lost my first year there. But the teachers are really great. They are super nice and really caring." Harry answered.

"Is the homework hard?" Justin asked.

"Not when Hermione Granger is your best friend." Ron teased

Hermione rolled her eyes. "As long as you pay attention in class and study and work hard then it's pretty easy. If you're like Ron and wait till the last possible second to start it and you draw, doodle, and sleep during class it's extra hard."

"That won't be Justin, he'll be taking 3 pages worth of notes and even add footnotes to his notes." Alex teased.

"I take 5 pages of regular notes then an extra 5 pages of footnotes." Hermione said wide eyed.

"All hand written and then I type it up on the computer."Justin said staring at her wide eyed as well.

"Yes, the more I write it the better it's stored in my brain."

They both just looked to each other in awe; Neither of them had met someone with the same studying techniques?

"Anyway!" Ron said loud enough to make them both jump. He pulled Hermione into his side. "The workload isn't bad as long as you study, there is the answer."

"Ron likes spend most of the time begging Hermione to do his work and then decides at the last possible second to do it." Harry laughed.

Alex laughed. "Justin would rather eat slugs than do his work at the last second."

"That isn't true." Justin mumbled.

Everyone just laughed. Even though they really just met they were talking and laughing like they were best friends. Alex was actually starting to like it here. But there was one thing she couldn't get out of her head. Did she really kill her birth-father? Was it really her fault he died? Did it have anything to do with the big secret Molly was keeping?

She sighed and pushed that from her head and continued to shop for her books with her new friends.

"So what kind of classes are there?" Alex asked. "Cause I'm not good at math or history."

Harry and Hermione laughed. "You won't have to do any of those classes as long as you live here. All the classes you take will be focused on some kind of magic like potions and spells, things like that." Hermione explained.

"Oh good." Alex sighed.

"Just don't give her a love potion." Justin teased.

Alex elbowed him in the side. "Jerk." She muttered.

"Yeah, it would be best to keep those away from Ron too." Harry nodded.

Alex smiled and blushed softly. What was this weird feeling she had in her stomach that felt like butterflies tickling her?

"That wasn't my fault." Ron argued.

"You almost died on me, Ron. We don't need a repeat of that."

"Yeah, then I would have lost two brothers instead of just one." Ginny said.

Everyone got quiet.

"So um…what are the list of classes we are taking?" Justin asked carefully.

Harry pulled Jenny into his side kissing her head. Ron took a few deep breaths. Hermione rubbed his back as she started the list. "Ancient Runes, History of Magic, Muggle Studies, Dark Arts, Divination, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Flying, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Astronomy
and lastly Potions."

Justin and Alex's eyes went wide. "Wow, and we have to take all of those classes?" Alex asked.

"Not all in one year but yeah, before you can graduate. Don't worry I've taken almost all of them so I can help you if you need. I can even tutor you."

"That would be a huge help." Justin nodded.

Molly came over with Arthur. "Well. I've got everything for everyone. Let's go."

Everyone left the store. Justin and Alex were happy to have made some new friends. But Alex couldn't help but wonder how her birth-father really died and if she was the one to cause it?

"So, Alex, what kind of stuff do you like to do in your free time?" Arthur asked. "If you'd like I can teach you some magic over the weekend, just you and I?"

"No, thank you." Alex said walking away from him next to Justin.

"That was kind of rude, He's just trying to be your friend and get to know you. He is technically our step-father."

"He's not and he never will be my father. Robert Flynn was my ONLY REAL father and he's dead. I don't even remember him. Jerry Russo is the closest thing I have to a father. I'm not about to let another man into my life and be hurt once again."

Alex walked further ahead and joined Harry and Ron. Justin sighed.

"Give her time; this is all still very new to her." Hermione said walking next to him. "Once she gets comfortable she'll be ready to trust him."

"It's more than that; I think that Malfoy kid really messed with her head. She really believes she killed our dad and that's why she's so scared of getting close to Arthur."

"You mean you think she's scared she's jinxed somehow and she'll end up getting him killed?"

Justin nodded.

"But that's crazy. She's harmless. She has no enemies or anything. How could she possibly get him killed?"

"You don't know her like I do. When she gets scared or starts to feel powerless she uses her wand and says the first spell that comes to mind. That's what started this whole mess. I just…"

"You want to help her?"

Justin nodded.

"Just be there for her and that's the best way to help her."

Justin sighed but nodded. "Thanks, I don't normally have many people I can vent to."

"Well I'm always here if you need to talk."

Justin smiled and they caught up with their friends.

A few weeks went by and the only thing that changed was the friendships between everyone grew quickly. Alex still didn't trust or even speak to Arthur or Molly for that matter. She had yet to figure out their secret. But before they knew it, it was time for the first day of school.

Everyone was at the train station. Alex and Justin were looking for platform 9 ¾ but couldn't find it. They all stopped in front of platform 9 and 10. Alex and Justin watched in fear as George ran down the middle and into the rock hard brick wall.

"What in the world?" Alex asked.

"It's easier than it looks, I promise." Harry said. "I was scared my first time too."

"You survived?" Alex squeaked.

"Yes, Trust me you'll be fine." Harry chuckled.

Alex just looked to Justin. Ron and Hermione ran through next.

"Trust me it's really easy. Just watch."

Harry went next through the brick wall. Justin and Alex shared a look. They locked hands and squeezed their eyes shut tightly and made a mad dash toward the wall.

The next thing they knew they were on the floor. They looked up and they were in another room. There was a huge train that said Hogwarts on it.

"See, it wasn't that bad." Harry chuckled helping Alex off the floor. Hermione helped Justin.

"Thanks for waiting for us." Justin said.

"Sure, come on, Ron and his family are saving us seats."

Alex, Justin, Harry, and Hermione headed onto the train. They finally found their seats and sat down.

"What took you so long?" Ginny asked Harry.

"I was waiting for Alex and Justin. I wanted to make sure they got through ok."

"Aww poor wittle baby was too scared to go through the brick wall?" Ginny mocked.

"We've never done something like that before." Justin said.

"How did you get to your old school?" Hermione wondered.

"Um…we just waved our wands and we were there." Alex mumbled softly.

"Oh wait, let me guess and when you got homesick and wanted your mommy and daddy you just clicked your heels together three times." Ginny laughed. "Or, better yet, did you make a wish upon a star? How about your magic pumpkin?"

Alex just looked to her lap. She hadn't been as smart as Justin but she knew enough and he never made her feel stupid. This girl made her feel very stupid like she didn't know anything at all.

"That's enough, Ginny. They haven't lived here that long. There is going to be stuff they don't know." Harry said.

"So you haven't heard about Hogwarts strict punishment choices?" Ginny asked.

"What are you talking about, Ginny?"

"You know, if you break the rules they torture you and beat you to a pulp."

Alex gasped and turned deathly white, she started shaking physically and her breathing picked up. "Tor-torture? Is there…is there a green flash?"

"Oh yeah, a really bright light."

Alex's eyes went wide and she started having a panic attack as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Ginny are you insane! None of what you just said it true!"Harry said shocked.

"You idiot are you trying to kill her!" Justin yelled. He turned to his sister and started trying to calm her down.

"Ginny, I think you should go sit somewhere else." Harry said.

"But…But Harry…"

"Now!"

Ginny pouted and left. Harry turned to Alex too.

"Hey, hey, listen; listen to me, the worst punishment you'll get is being expelled. I promise. There are not beatings or torture. I swear to you. Hogwarts is perfectly safe, all right. Please calm down. You're safe." Harry said comfortingly.

Alex sniffed slowly calming down. "Prom-promise?"

"Yes, plus, I haven't known Justin for very long but I'm pretty sure he'd kill before he let anyone hurt you."

"He's right. I'll always protect you, and I'll never let anyone lay a finger on you. Just take some deep breaths and calm down."

"Hogwarts is against violence of any kind. Including types caused by magic. I promise. Ginny was lying to scare you."

Alex slowly started to calm down. "No green flash?" she whimpered?

"No, no green flash, I promise." Harry soothed.

Alex calmed down and her breathing returned to normal. She continued to shake but that as the worst of it. Did Alex like Harry? Yeah of course he was cute! But if this was how Ginny treated her with them being friends she'd hate to see what it would be like if they broke up and Alex started to date her. Ginny might even kill her. Maybe she was safer back in New York…maybe she never should have left.

Alex leaned into her brother's arms and he held her close. Ginny may have been lying but it still scared her and not knowing much about the school she was going to scared her even more.

"Hogwarts is going to be great. I promise you'll love it." Harry said.

"And if you don't and you feel uncomfortable at any time you come get me and I'll fix it for you."

Alex nodded feeling safer. Why did she trust Harry so much? She hadn't known him that long. Maybe he was going to be one of those special people she just naturally trusted, but how would Ginny feel about that?

"So what other cool spells are there?" Hermione asked.

"Um…I can trap Ron is a cube of jello." Alex answered calming down drastically.

"Really? Can I eat my way out?" Ron asked.

"Sure?" It was more of a question than an answer.

"Awesome! Show me show me!" Ron said bouncing in his seat.

Alex giggled and waved her hand at Ron. "Piggly, Wiggly, Get in the Jiggly."

The next thing everyone knew Ron was indeed trapped in a huge cube of jello. They all laughed as Ron started trying to chew his way out.

"This is great!" Ron cheered.

Alex laughed and waved her wand again. "Piggly, Wiggly, Get out of the Jiggly."

The cube vanished and Ron pouted. "Aww man! Come on!"

Everyone laughed.

"We're almost there anyway."

"Fine, I'll do it myself."

Ron grabbed his wand and pointed it at himself. "Piggy Wiggy do the jiggy"

Then next thing everyone knew Ron had turned into a pig and was dancing. Everyone burst into laughter.

Hermione waved her wand and turned Ron back to normal. "That wasn't supposed to happen." Ron muttered.

Everyone just continued to laugh at him.

"Don't worry, Ron I'll help you learn all kinds of fun spells." Alex giggled.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure anymore." Ron answered.

Everyone laughed. The rest of the train ride was spent just laughing and teasing Ron of course, but most of it was pure, side gripping, laughter. Alex was happy she had made some great friends but what about Ginny? She hated her and if she wanted to be friends with Harry, which she did, Ginny wasn't about to change anytime soon. How would she get around that?

A/N What do you think? Will Harry and Alex ever get together. What about Justin and Hermione? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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