~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 :)
It was Tuesday morning and Alex was making her way towards the great hall for breakfast. Alex was in an irritable mood. From the time she left the dormitories, she couldn't help but notice the increasing number of stares from the other students. How was she supposed to lay low when she kept becoming the topic of discussion? It felt like she was getting more attention now than when the rumors spread about Cedric and her dating. Were people still talking about her injury from the previous day? That couldn't be it though. In the back of her mind, she knew this was because of Malfoy. It must have spread around the school that what happened yesterday was because of Malfoy.
"Alex!" She turned around to see Cedric jogging over to her with his broom in one hand. When he reached her, he planted a kiss on her cheek. "Good Morning."
"Good morning, thank you for my morning kiss… though I think I prefer it on the lips." Alex grabbed onto the back of his head, pulling his face towards her own for a kiss. They both smiled as they pulled apart. "Now that's more like it."
"Very." Cedric smiled but she could see the slight distant look on his face. The one he often had when he had something on his mind.
"Is there something wrong Cedric?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
Cedric sighed and nodded. "Maybe? Yes. Alex, why didn't you tell me that Harry was there when Malfoy hurt you? And why didn't you tell me it was a Malfoy's who hurt you?"
"Why does that even matter now Cedric?" Alex complained. Cedric was frowning at her. "I didn't want anyone to know. Honestly, if Harry hadn't gotten there, I don't think Malfoy would have even hurt me. It was an accident."
Cedric studied Alex silently. He looked like was deciding what to say to her next.
"Cedric. I'm already in such an off mood since last night over this. I haven't had anything to eat since lunch time yesterday. And I really just want to go get some food. Just tell me what's wrong." Alex looked at Cedric, her expression showing irritation.
He sighed. "I'm sorry Alex." Cedric wrapped his arms around Alex's waist, pulling her body into an embrace which Alex happily accepted. "I guess I was just a little jealous that Harry was you knight in shining armor in this scenario. I'm being a little selfish. I should be happy you're okay."
Alex pulled away slightly, resting her hands on his chest. "You have no reason to be jealous. You've been my knight in shining armor since my first day in Hogwarts. Or did you forget my embarrassing trip on my way to the sorting hat?" Alex giggled as a smile finally dawned Cedric's face.
"Of course I remember. That was the first time I laid my eyes on my gorgeous girlfriend. I knew I had to meet her." Cedric smirked, dipping his head to give Alex a quick kiss. Alex was relieved to see that this mood had drastically changed.
"And also, in case you haven't noticed yet, I'm a magnet for trouble. I'm sure there will be many, many, many more opportunities for you to be my knight in shining armor."
"I believe it." Cedric laughed.
~~~~~
"I should have known it was Malfoy, especially after you told us it was you who did that prank on Malfoy and his friends. Is it so hard for you to stay out of trouble?" Justin looked at Alex with disapproval as he continued his lecture that has been going on for the last twenty minutes of breakfast.
"Truth be told, Justin? No. You can even ask Fred and George, I practically begged them for some trouble!" Alex forced a smile at him before biting into the cream cheese bagel in her hand.
"I should have known! You need to stop doing this to yourself. And maybe distance yourself from the Weasleys. You could get expelled! But what am I even thinking? Telling Alex of all people to not do something? Telling her not to spend her time surrounded by troublemakers? I'm practically challenger her to do exactly the opposite!" Justin exclaimed.
"Justin, get over it! It was all my idea to prank Malfoy and his friends. And it already happened, so we won't be able to undo it by you lecturing me, now can we? All I want to know is, why is everyone staring at me? What stupid rumor is going around now?" Justin expression turned to confusion at the last question.
"Beats me... I didn't even know people were staring at you. I found out about Malfoy from Cedric."
Alex looked beside her at Cedric, who was setting his fork down next to his plate. "I overheard this morning, on my way out of the Hufflepuff common room. The rumor that is going around is that after Malfoy hurt you, he threatened you so you wouldn't tell Dumbledore about him attacking you. And that since Harry was there to save you and didn't have a threat looming over him, he told Professor Dumbledore everything. Malfoy's got detention with Professor Snape every Friday for the rest of the term."
Alex pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation. She took a few deep breaths before looking at her brother and boyfriend again. "So you mean to tell me that everyone in school... feels bad for me! That's completed ridiculous!" Alex almost yelled. Cedric put a hand on Alex's shoulder and began rubbing it in the hopes of calming her. It didn't help. "This is all a misunderstanding! I don't even think Malfoy meant to actually hurt me! If Harry hadn't shown up and socked Malfoy, he would have never fallen over and scratched my arm! I was trying to not escalate things with Malfoy! I didn't want Professor Dumbledore to know!" Alex finally took a breath, looking at her brother and Cedric. They were watching her with concern. "What?"
"You sound like a complete nutcase right now. You need to keep your hair on Alex." Cedric smiled.
"Cedric, what does that even mean?" Alex glared at her boyfriend, who only smiled wider.
"I guess your thoughts were in the right place." Justin said with a sigh. "Maybe this really was all blown out of proportion. You could always tell Professor Dumbledore your side of the story."
"I could... but at this point it's not even worth it. Malfoy got punished and Harry looks like a big shot hero. Professor Dumbledore wouldn't listen to me when I told him I didn't want the person punished." Alex frowned and began stacking pancakes onto her plate.
Cedric continued to rub one of Alex's shoulder. It did eventually help with calming her. That and his change of subject to the upcoming quidditch match. Alex was relieved for this because she no longer wanted to discuss the events of the previous day. As she listened in to the conversation between Justin and Cedric, a new concern came to Alex's mind. Who does a Gryffindor dating a Hufflepuff cheer for during a Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff quidditch match?
~~~~~
Justin and Neville were making their way up the stairs towards Gryffindor Tower. Neville had offered to explain the rules of quidditch to Justin so he would be better prepared for the match that weekend. With Neville's help and a book from the library, Justin should be an expert in enough time to explain the rules to Alex. Leave it to his sister to know nothing about quidditch when her boyfriend and two best friends were on their respective house's quidditch team.
"Justin, look!" Justin looked in the direction Neville had pointed to see a crowd had formed outside the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower. As they got closer, Justin could see Professor Dumbledore, Filch, and Percy standing in front of the crowd. When they approached the crowd, Justin spotted Ginny.
"Ginny, what's going on?"
"It's the Fat Lady, she's gone!" Ginny said to them in worry.
"What?"
Justin looked back to the front of the crowd. Watching as Professor Dumbledore inspected the Fat Lady's frame. He couldn't believe it, how could she be gone? Justin watched as Professor Dumbledore whispered something to Filch who was pointing to a painting farther up the stairway. Professor Dumbledore and Filch ran up the stairs, the crowd following after them. They stopped in front of a painting at the end of the stairway where they spotted a painting of a safari, the Fat Lady hiding behind a hippo. Justin was too far to hear the conversation between the headmaster and the Fat Lady, but he could see the alarm on both their faces. As he finished talking to her, the headmaster turned towards Filch to whisper something to him. Filch nodded and rushed off. Professor Dumbledore scanned the crowd until his eyes met Justin's.
"Everyone to the great hall!" Professor Dumbledore shouted, still looking at Justin. As Justin was about to turn to follow the rest of the Gryffindors, the headmaster shook his head. Justin stopped and waited as the other students followed Percy down the stairs. Professor Dumbledore slowly made his way towards Justin. "Mr. Russo, I need you to go find your sister and take her to my office. I will have Professor Snape waiting for you there to let you two in."
"But why, Professor?"
The headmaster shook his head. "Just do as I say. Don't stop and talk to anyone on the way. I believe you will find your sister in the quad with Mr. Diggory." With that Professor Dumbledore walked off after the rest of the students.
~~~~~
"You know, your hair looks cute like this." Cedric leaned closer to Alex as he moved a strand of hair from her face. Alex smiled, leaning a bit closer so that there was only an inch of space between their lips. Cedric smirked as he made the move closer to Alex. She closed her eyes, ready to recieve his lips but they never came. When she opened her eyes, Cedric was no longer leaning close to her but was looking as something behind her. Alex turned to see Justin sprinting towards them.
"Justin?" Alex looked at Cedric who shrugged, seemingly as surprised as she was to see her brother. Justin stopped in front of them and bender over, completely out of breath. "Justin, what are you doing here?"
"Professor. Dumbledore. Fat. Lady. Great. Hall." Justin got each word out between heavy breaths.
"Justin, breathe." Alex rolled her eyes. Cedric stood up, holding his hand out to help Alex up. By the time Alex was up and had herself dusted off, Justin was breathing normally again.
"Sorry guys. Cedric, Professor Dumbledore has ordered everyone to report to the great hall now. You should go." Justin looked seriously at Cedric.
"What about you two?"
"I need to talk to my sister really briefly in private. We'll come in a while. You should go so you don't get in trouble." Justin grabbed Alex's hand, pulling her away from Cedric. As they stepped away, Cedric put his hand out in front of Justin to stop them.
"I'm not leaving Alex. I can wait." Cedric took Alex's hand in his own, looking at Justin with a serious expression. Alex glanced at her brother to see him staring between them seriously. Something was up. Alex sighed.
"Cedric, you go on without us." Cedric turned to look at Alex, his expression a mix of concern and hurt. "I'll see you soon." Alex put a hand on his chest, leaning forward to give him a kiss. When they pulled apart, Cedric nodded with a grimace before heading into the castle. When he was gone, Alex turned back to her brother with her arms crossed over her chest. "What's going on? Why did you screw up the few minutes I had with Cedric where he wasn't busy with Quidditch practice?"
"Alex, something happened with the Fat Lady and now all students have to report to the great hall. For some reason Professor Dumbledore told me to find you and take you to his office." Justin explained with a look of worry.
"Justin, I don't know if it's just me, but I have a feeling that we aren't being told something. I've had this feeling every since dad told us he was sending us to Hogwarts this year."
Justin nodded. "Me too, I have no idea what it is, but there's something. For now, let's just do as we're told."
Alex nodded, quietly following her brother in the direction of Professor Dumbledore's office. As they walked, she couldn't stop thinking about something their dad has said when they were in New York. Something about Hogwarts being safer than New York. Safe from what?
~~~~~
Remus Lupin had just rounded the great hall for the third time that night, not yet sighting the two Gryffindors he was nervously looking for since he heard about the events that had transpired earlier that day. This would have never happened if he Remus hadn't had to leave the previous day. But he had no choice. Remus scanned the great hall again, his eyes finding the headmaster by the entrance to the great hall. When their eyes met, he motioned the headmaster towards the exit. Dumbledore nodded, heading out the door of the great hall to meet Remus in private.
"Albus, I don't seem to see Alex and Justin Russo anywhere." He stated, noting the lack of surprise on the headmaster's face.
"They are in my office as we speak. They will stay there for the remainder of the night. I have already instructed Severus to explain to them that if asked by other students of their whereabouts, they would say they were in the great hall with the rest of the students." He's having them lie? This doesn't seem right. They don't even have any clue what is going on.
"If no one sees them here, no one will believe they were actually here Albus!"
"Who exactly will they tell? All the professors are being informed of Alex and Justin's whereabouts as we speak. Remus, I understand that you don't agree with any of this but you must remember these were all decisions made by their father long time ago." Dumbledore gave him a knowing look.
"And what if their father has changed his decision on the matter? Bringing them here will only lead to them finding out things no one can explain and you know it Albus!" Remus was almost yelling by the end. This wasn't right. If it was up to him, they'd already know everything.
"Well then, let us do our jobs to make sure that doesn't happen." The headmaster looked pointedly at him one last time before turning around and heading back into the great hall. That may be your job Albus. He, on the other hand, was determined to reveal the truth.
Updated!
