~Everything's Not What It Seems~

Alex and Justin are siblings sent to Hogwarts to learn about magic just like their father. There they meet new friends, fall in love, and find out that truly everything is not what it seems.

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling and Disney Channel own the right to all these character. I am only borrowing them :)


"That was absolutely brilliant!" Fred almost screamed as the twins accompanied Alex to the dungeon for Potions.

"That was more than brilliant, that was bloody amazing!" George exclaimed.

"Thank you, thank you very much!" Alex bowed in each of their directions, laughing as they continued down the hall.

"Can you remind us again why we are walking you to class so early?" Fred asked with a frown. "Because I think we should be off celebrating the first major mischievous activity of the year."

"Because, I want Professor Snape to look over something for me." Alex shrugged.

Despite having a rocky start in potions, Alex quickly found herself doing really well in the class. So well that she inadvertently became one of Professor Snape's favorite student. Alex soon found herself gaining house points for answering questions in class, for turning in assignment with legible handwriting, and even for concocting potions without making a mess. Professor Snape had even offered to look over Alex's papers before she turned them in. Seeing that she was doing so well in the class, possibly to the point that she would end the term with an A grade, Alex decided to take advantage of Professor Snape's offer.

"Well, looks like this is you." Fred said as they stopped outside of her class.

"Thanks for walking me to class guys. I'll see you later?" Alex smiled.

"See you at lunch!" The twins said in unison as they made their way back in the direction they'd just came from.

Alex watched her friends disappear around the corner before turning around to enter the classroom. She was disappointed to find the classroom empty, Professor Snape nowhere in sight. Maybe he was in his office.

"Professor Snape, its Alex! Are you here?" She called out as she walked further into the room. Or maybe he wasn't here at all. She'll just have to wait then. Alex made her way to her seat, pulling her essay and textbook from her bag before dropping her bag to the floor beside her chair. She opened her book to the chapter they were to go over in class that day and started to read it as she waited. Alex was halfway through the chapter when she heard the door to the the dungeon creak open. She quickly read to the end of the page before turning to address Professor Snape.

"Professor- Malfoy?" Alex stopped when she realized it wasn't Professor Snape who had entered the room, it was Malfoy. As their eyes met, Malfoy began to make his was towards Alex, the anger apparent in his eyes. Alex looked to his hair to see that the orange color was still faintly there, but some sort of dye had lightened it up. She couldn't stop herself from releasing a giggle as he charged in her direction.

"You think this is funny, Russo?" Malfoy spat as he stopped in front of her.

Alex rolled her eyes at him. "No Malfoy, as a matter of fact, I think it's hilarious!" She turned to return her attention back to her textbook, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder that held her in place. Alex looked at Malfoy angrily. "Don't touch me."

Alex moved her shoulder out of his grasp. She tried to turn away from him again but this time Malfoy went for her wrists, holding them tightly in his hand. Alex tried to free herself, but Malfoy held on. "I'm not done with you Russo!"

"What the hell Malfoy!" Alex and Malfoy stared at each other, the anger and hate growing in them as they continued to glare at the other.

"You think I don't know you had something to do with this? You and the Weasleys were all giggles when we entered the great hall."

Alex opened her mouth to respond when door suddenly flew open. Alex and Malfoy both looked in the direction of the door, momentarily distracted from their impending argument. A bit of panic flashed on Alex's face. She could not get caught in a fight with Malfoy. Harry walked into the room, his eyes immediately going to Malfoy and Alex. As he looked between the two, Alex could see the confusion on Harry's face turn to anger as he focused on Malfoy.

Malfoy's grip on Alex's wrist tightened as Harry charged towards Malfoy and socked him in the face. The impact of Harry's punch made Malfoy release Alex's wrists. Alex felt a deep pain on her arm as Malfoy fell past her and shrieked in pain. Alex was too shocked by what had just transpired to check what had caused the pain. When she looked down at Malfoy, he was looking between her and Harry angrily. Harry made his way over to Alex, blocking her view of Malfoy.

"You'll regret even putting your hands on me, Potter. I'll report you for this!" Malfoy said in a huff as he stood up.

"You do that, and I'll report you for harassing Alex!" Harry yelled back in anger. Malfoy gave Harry a long, cold stare before turning to run out of the room. When the door closed, Harry turned to check on Alex, his face full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Alex nodded her head. Harry eyes went to Alex's lap and the concern on his face deepened. Alex looked down at her lap, where her hands rested. She gasped when she noticed the bloody gash that had appeared on her wrist. This must have been what had caused her to shriek in pain earlier.

"I'm going to kill him! Come on Alex, I'll take you to Madam Pomfrey." Harry's hands moved to Alex's as he starts to pull her towards the door.

For a moment, Alex enjoyed the warmth of Harry's hands on hers, the pain in her arm momentarily leaving her mind. But only for a moment before an image of Cedric flashed in her mind. Alex quickly pulled her hand away from Harry, causing them both to stop. Harry turned to look at her in confusion.

"I'll go myself, I don't need your help." She said harshly. Hurt flashed in Harry's eyes, but he nodded towards Alex in response. Alex walked past Harry, quickly making her way to the door. She didn't dare look back, otherwise she'd feel worse about how she treated Harry.

~~~~~

As Alex exited the hospital wing and made her way to the great hall for lunch, she realized she really didn't like hospital wing. That was the second time she had made a visit there since she joined Hogwarts and she found herself not used to the fussing that came from Madam Pomfrey. Alex was used to toughing it up whenever she got hurt. She was also annoyed that she had missed all her classes that morning.

When Alex had arrived at the hospital wing to show Madam Pomfrey her wrist, the woman was livid. She demanded that Alex explain what happened to her so she could report it to Professor Dumbledore, but Alex refused to give anything away. When she realized Alex wouldn't say anything to her, Professor McGonagall was called and there was yet another wave of questioning on what had transpired. Alex could only make up a story about tripping in the dungeon, which both Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall were quick to dismiss, seeing through Alex's make-believe story. Pretty soon, they were both trying to get in touch with the headmaster. When they found out that Professor Dumbledore was not in the castle, they schedule for her to meet with him before dinner that night to discuss her so called bully." Alex thought it was ridiculous. Who could actually get away with bullying Alex Russo? By the time Madam Pomfrey was pleased with her bandage work and Professor McGongall had set up her meeting with the headmaster, it was lunch time. Professor McGonagall dismissed her for lunch, giving her a warning that they would find out who was responsible and that person would be apprehended.

Alex was relieved when the doors to the great hall came into view. She finally felt free from the mess of that morning. She was ready to drown herself in tater tots and greasy Pizza.

"Alex!" She stopped and turned to see Cedric jogging over to her, a look of concern on his face. When he reached for Alex, he gently took her hand in his own to asses the damage. Alex's heart twisted at the concern on his face as he looked at her bandages. "Who did this?"

"No one, it's nothing. I just-" Alex paused. She hadn't made up a story to give to Justin, Max and Cedric.

"Alex don't lie to me. I ran into Neville a while ago and he told me that he saw you in the infirmary with Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall. He said that they were making a big commotion of you not telling them what happened. So I ask you again, who did this?" Alex couldn't help it, her heart fluttered again as Cedric looked at her with so much concern. She stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his body and buried her face in his chest. Cedric's body was stiff at first, but gradually he relaxed as he hugged her back. "Alex..."

"I'm fine. I'm just really happy that you care so much." She pulled away slightly, keeping their arms wrapped around each other. She smiled as Cedric dipped his face to give her a kiss. He smiled lightly as he pulled away, his eyes still flashing concern.

"Of course I care Alex, you're my girlfriend." He paused momentarily, looking at me. "I really think you should tell Professor McGonagall who was behind this. They deserve to be punished." Alex sighed as she pulled away from their embrace.

"I have a meeting scheduled with Professor Dumbledore tonight. If it makes you feel any better, I'll consider telling him what happened. I'm not promising I'll be giving away any names though." Cedric frowned slightly, but nodded towards her. He moved his hand to interlace his fingers with hers.

"Fine. I'll support any decision you make. But for the record, it would make me feel much better if I knew the name of the person I need to sock in the face." Alex laughed at him. "I'm serious. Come now, we should get you to lunch."

Alex nodded before Cedric led them into the great hall. When they entered, she quickly noticed that their were multiple eyes on them. Was it that weird that she was dating a fifth year? Alex ignored the stares, walking toward the end of the Gryffindor table to join her brother. Just as she was about to sit down, her eyes fell on the Slytherin table, where more than a few people were shooting daggers her way. Alex took a seat, looking to Justin with an expression of suspicion. "Why is everyone staring at me?"

"Because of what happened in the dungeon. Alex, are you okay? I only just heard about what happened before lunch and couldn't get out of class to see you."

"I'm fine." Alex crossed her arms. "How does everyone know about what happened?"

Cedric and Justin both avoided looking at her. "It was Neville, wasn't it? I'm gonna kill him!"

Cedric chuckled beside her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Don't be mad at him. Everyone is just concerned for you."

"Alex, Cedric is right, it's not Neville's fault. Why don't you tell us what happened."

Alex put her head in her hands. This was not what she intended to happen when she pulled that prank on the Slytherins. Maybe if Harry hadn't come to her rescue, things would have turned out differently. Everyone wouldn't have been staring at her with pity. Maybe the topic of discussion would be that Alex broke Malfoy's nose before Potions. She would have preferred that over the pity. Damnit Harry, you just had to come in an play hero. Now all she was, was the girl who was too scared to tell everyone who hurt her

"Alex. Alex are you okay?" Alex lifted her head out of her hands and nodded at Cedric. Both Cedric and Justin were looking at her as if she was about to burst into tears.

"I'm fine. This just wasn't how I expected the day to go. I woke up thinking I'd be wearing the title of the 'pranking queen' only to find myself as the 'pitiful princess' by lunch." Alex groaned. "I just want to drown my sorrows in fatty foods." Alex began to load French fries onto her plate.

"Since when are you the 'pranking queen'?" Cedric asked.

"Oh Alex, please don't tell us what I think you're trying to tell us." Alex stopped piling fries onto her plate to look at her brother. He was glowering. Oh my poor, poor brother.

"What I'm trying to say is, Fred, George and I were behind the prank this morning on Malfoy and his friends."

~~~~~

"So you were there when it happened?"

"Yes Mione! I swear if Alex weren't there at the time, I would have hexed him!" Harry clenched his fists as the memory of Malfoy holding Alex's wrists replayed in his mind. He had just retold what happened in the dungeon with Malfoy and Alex to Hermione and Ron.

"What matters is that she's okay." Hermione assured him as she put a hand on his shoulder.

"But Harry, haven't you heard? Alex isn't telling anyone who hurt her." Harry looked at Ron then at Hermione, they were both frowning at. How can she not tell on that conniving Malfoy, he deserved to be punished! If she wouldn't punish him, he would.

"She doesn't have to, I'll tell Professor Dumbledore myself. Tonight!" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione with determination. They nodded in agreement. "He'll listen to me, then he'll punish Malfoy for hurting her." Because no one was getting away with hurting Alex.

~~~~~

Alex crossed her arms in frustration as she followed Professor McGonagall through the castle. She was escorting Alex to Professor Dumbledore's office for the meeting to discuss how she had hurt her arm.

"Right this way Ms. Russo."

Professor McGonagall stopped in front of a large statue of a birds motioning her towards it. As Alex stepped forward, she heard Professor McGongall whisper a spell under her breath. She watched as the statue turned and a staircase appeared before her. She stepped onto the staircase, letting it lift her with the statue. When she'd finally stopped moving, Alex found herself facing an empty hallway that led to a large door. She walked over the door, knocking on it gently.

"Come in."

Alex pulled the door open, quietly making her way inside. As she walked through the room, she looked around, her eyes taking in all the bookshelves and magical items, the painting with the funny-looking wizards. As she approached the headmaster's desk, she noticed an old bird sitting in a bird cage. She stared at it for a moment before looking at Professor Dumbledore.

"Ah, Ms. Russo. I was expecting you. Come sit." The headmaster smiled warmly as he pointed to the chair across from him. Alex moved herself to the chair, readying herself for the typical lecture she was used to whenever she was sent to the principal's office. Alex, this isn't your first rodeo in the principal's office. You got this.

"So Ms. Russo, it has come to my attention that someone in this school has physically hurt you. I've been told it's a bully, but you and I both know that that can't be the case." Alex looked at the headmaster with a slight smile. Props to the old man. Alex was impressed.

"Professor, the point that matters is that I'm okay. I personally don't care to see the person punished. It wasn't even entirely his fault so why punish him?" A punishment coming from Alex directly seemed more appropriate in this situation.

"That's very noble of you to spare the person but as the headmaster of this school it's my responsibility to ensure every student feels and is safe. If every student were to be pardoned like this then would I really be carrying out my responsibilities?"

No, you wouldn't. But it would make my life so much easier if you did in this situation. The headmaster stared at Alex expectantly. There was no way he was going to budge until he found out about Malfoy.

"Professor, while I do appreciate your concern. It's been a tiring day and I really would prefer not to talk about this too much. Maybe we can reschedule and I can tell you what happened next time, when I'm more up for it?" Alex looked at him innocently.

Professor Dumbledore studied Alex for a moment before taking a deep breath and nodding. "Very…"

"Professor Dumbledore!" The headmaster stopped and looked over Alex to the the new entrant in his office. Alex groaned and threw her head back in defeat. Damnit Harry!

She heard his footsteps approach the headmasters desk and looked beside her as Harry stopped before him. He looked at Alex surprised. "Oh, Alex. I- I didn't know you would be here."

"We were a little busy here." Alex clenched her teeth as she stared him down. Harry looked back at the headmaster.

"Actually, I think I'd be of some use in this situation. Since I was there when Alex got hurt."

Dumbledore looked at Alex with a raised eyebrow. Alex said nothing, frowning at the headmaster as he motioned for Harry to take the vacant seat beside her. "Explain."

Harry glanced at Alex one last time before seating himself. He could feel Alex shooting daggers at her from beside him. "I was there when Alex got hurt. After breakfast, I had realized I had left my Transfiguration book in Professor Snape's class on Friday. I figured I would fetch it before class and return it to the dormitory when I saw Alex and-"

"Professor, I thought this was a private meeting between you and me!" Alex quickly interjected, looking at the headmaster.

"Ms. Russo, since you do not want to speak to me about the person who harmed you, I'm sure it would be fine that Harry explains what happened." He looked back at Harry, nodding for him to continue.

"But it was only a scratch!" Alex yelled.

"It wouldn't matter if no marks were left over, it is not acceptable in this school for any student to act physically towards any other student. Those who do will be punished! You may continue Harry."

Alex folded her arms over her chest, returning herself to staring daggers at Harry as he recounted what happened in the dungeon with Malfoy. When he was finally finished, he avoided Alex's gaze by keeping his eyes on the headmaster.

"Ms. Russo, I don't know what you did to provoke Mr. Malfoy, but regardless of what led to the altercation, Mr Malfoy will need to be punished. While I go discuss the repercussions of Mr. Malfoy's actions with Professor Snape, you both can return yourselves to the great hall and join your fellow students for dinner. Thank you Harry and good night to you both."

Alex watched as Harry and Professor Dumbledore both stood up, nodding to each other as if they had just transacted a business deal. The headmaster turned and made his way up the staircase behind his desk. Alex got up angrily, following Harry out of the headmaster's office. They both stayed silent as they made their way down the stairs and back to the hallway where they had entered.

Alex began to walk to the great hall when she heard Harry behind her. "You're welcome."

At that moment, Alex didn't know what came over her but all she could see was red. The nerve! Alex quickly turned towards, holding a angry finger in his direction as she marched over to him. "You're welcome! How dare you! Because of YOU, I am going to look like a total snitch in front of the entire school! You had no right to tell Professor Dumbledore anything! I was handling it my own way!" Alex crossed her arms over her chest, laughing to her self in mockery. "But you know what, I shouldn't be surprised, should I? You're Harry Potter. The great Harry Potter! The hero of Hogwarts time and time again. You know what Harry Potter?" Alex stepped closer to Harry. "I don't need saving, so stay the hell away from me!"

Harry took a step back, his face a mixture of shock and hurt. Alex ignored the slight feeling of regret she felt for her outburst and continued to stare Harry down angrily. He watched her for a while, as if waiting to see if Alex would calm down. She didn't calm down though. She couldn't. Alex only saw red. Harry finally sighed, turning from Alex and walking away.


Updated!