~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 :)


Alex was relieved to find herself in front of the door seventh floor tapestries, the opening she had gone through no longer in place. Had this all been created by the room of requirements? Or had she actually spent the last couple hours in her father's home? She would have to wait to find out. She looked around, surprised to find not one person in sight. That area of the seventh floor was usually not too crowded, but there were almost always student walking the stairs. Where was everyone? It couldn't be too late... unless everyone was in the Great Hall having dinner.

As she made her way down the stairs, her mind set on getting to the Great Hall, she kept hearing gasps from the people in the wall paintings. She eyed a few of them in irritation as she passed, but didn't say anything. Those weird old wizards were always gossiping about something. When she finally reached the Great Hall, she was surprised to find the room completely vacant. Not a single person was there. What the heck? There are always people in the Great Hall. Even before and after dinner until curfew hits. It couldn't be that late… could it? She could always check the Gryffindor Tower. There had to be people there.

As she made her way towards Gryffindor Tower, her irritation with the people in the paintings grew. More gasps and more whispers. She scowled at them, making angry faces, which seemed to have worked to hush a few of them. Others scowled back, ignoring Alex's irritation. When she finally reached the entrance to Gryffindor tower, the Fat Lady stared at her with wide eyes. What was up with these stupid paintings?

"Let me in Fat lady."

She continued to stare at her, ignoring or most likely not hearing her demand.

"Maybe while I'm still alive?" She snapped her fingers at the Fat Lady, causing her to snap out of her momentary trance.

"Right... Password."

"Wigglyworm."

She nodded at Alex as she moved to the corner of the painting. The door flew open as Alex took a step back. She rolled her eyes as she passed the painting, making her way inside. As the door closed behind her, Alex noticed the large crowd gathered in the common room. A few looked up, staring at Alex as if she was a ghost. As Alex scanned the crowd, her eyes fell on her friends sitting on the ouch. Her brother was the first to look up, his eyes going wide as he scrambled to stand up.

"Alex!"

Alex noticed his eyes were bloodshot and tired, but relieved as he made his way over to her. He quickly wrapped his arms around her as Alex stood in surprise.

"Well hello to you too... I guess..."

"Alex. My god, I am so happy to see you!" Justin said as he pulled away. Alex noticed their friends had now approached the siblings. "I thought… I thought something bad happened to you. I was so worried that you were hurt. Alex, I am so, so, so sorry for upsetting you. I swear I didn't mean for this to happen. Please say something!"

He stared into her eyes in panic, his hands clutching onto her arms like they depended on it. Alex couldn't help the guilt that overcame her from seeing her brother in that state. First her dad, now Justin. She really couldn't get it right

"Alex, please say something!"

"Justin, I'm okay. I was just a little out of my mind and needed to get away. I didn't mean to worry you, or anyone in that case. I'm actually the one who should be sorry."

Justin stared at her in disbelief. Alex rolled her eyes, knowing it was in response to her rare apology. A smile spreads on his lips as he looked at his sister. He pulled her back into his arms for another hug and Alex laughed as she heard a bit of sniffling. What a Dork. She awkwardly patted his back a few times before pulling away.

"Someone needs to tell Professor Dumbledore she's back." Alex looked beside her at Hermione, who was looking at the siblings happily. Her eyes looked as exhausted as Justin's.

"You're right Hermione. Ginny and I will go." Justin responded.

He gave his sisters hand a quick squeeze before taking Ginny's hand and leading her towards the door. As soon as they were gone, the Common Rooms returned to its buzz of normality, some people heading up to their rooms while others sat down and started on chatted with their friends.

"I hope you have a good story for us." Fred said, as he and George looked at her with a smirk.

"Maybe... if you earn it."

"So that's how it is?" George laughed.

"We'll get the story Russo." Fred smirked before motioning George towards the door.

Alex laughed as she watched her friends exit. She walked over to the fireplace, taking an empty seat on the couch.

"Bloody hell Alex, you had us thinking you were dead or something." Alex smirked when she saw Hermione whack Ron across the head.

"We were not thinking that Ron! We were worried she was hurt! No one thought she was dead!"

"Ow! I didn't think telling Alex that I was worried for her would earn me a whack on the head." Ron rubbed his head a while before standing up. "I'm going to assume the lockdown is over, I'm headed to the Great Hall to find some food."

"You can't just go without permission!" Hermione jumped up.

"Well I am." Ron shook his head at Hermione with annoyance before heading towards the exit. Hermione watched him in disbelief before angrily following him.

Alex laughed at her friends, shaking her head as she watched them both disappear through the door. As she looked around her, she realized that all her friends were now gone and only Harry remained. Their eyes met only momentarily, before she quickly broke eye contact.

"I'm glad you're okay." Harry said to her quietly.

"Thanks." She looked down at her hands, unsure what else to say.

"We were all really worried about you." Harry added.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare anyone."

"No harm. I'm just glad you're back in one piece." Alex looked up, seeing the genuine smile on his face. She smiled back. "Where were you this whole time anyway?"

"Oh... um." She blushed, the memory of a few days ago flashing in her mind. "The room of requirements."

"Oh." Harry looked at her in surprise.

Alex opened her mouth a few times to speak, but each time she did, nothing came out. She stared back at him, unsure what to say.

"Alex, I think we need to talk." He looked at her, their eyes meeting.

"I know, and we will. Just not now." She stood up as the sound of commotion came from outside the Tower. That had to be the headmaster. Time to see how much trouble she was in for.

"Later?"

"I promise." She nodded, her mind now preoccupied by the prospect of her punishment.

~~~~~

Alex and Justin sat quietly in the two seats across from headmaster, waiting as he finished writing on the parchment laid out before him. The siblings had spent the last hour there, waiting for Professor Dumbledore to finish the letter he was writing. Justin began to regret notifying the headmaster of his sisters disappearance as they time ticked by more and more.

"Alex." The headmaster put down his quill and looked up at Alex, a serious look in his face. "It was very dangerous what you did, disappearing for such a long time. Do you understand why this could be dangerous?"

Justin looked at Alex, praying that Alex decided to respond in a very unlike Alex way.

"I could have been found by someone dangerous and nobody would have saved me because no one knew where I was. Also, the school is the safest place to be right now."

Professor Dumbledore nodded slowly, a slightly surprised look passed on his face. He put a hand to his beard, scratching it in a way that made it seem as if he was considering what to say next.

"Alex, Justin, you both know why you are here under the 'Russo' name, am I correct?"

Justin nodded and looked to his sister to see her doing the same.

"Then you both should know that your safety is of outmost importance to me."

"For that reason and other reasons." Justin stared at his sister in disbelief as she looked at the headmaster with an unimpressed expression.

Justin looked at the headmaster to find him looking at Alex curiously. The expression morphed to amusement as he shook his head.

"You're very to-the-point, aren't you? Not very surprising. Arianna was the same. You not only resemble her, but you have some of her quarks. Who told you, your father's cousin Jerry or your father himself?"

That surprised Alex as she stared at their uncle.

"I know you both keep in touch with your father. As Justin knows, I would ever throw an innocent man to the stakes." Justin nodded, remembering how the headmaster was the one who helped Hermione, Harry, and Justin save their dad.

He looked at Alex with a smile. "You're growing to be as beautiful as your mother everyday. But I also see your father's spirit in you. Let's try to keep that a little under wraps. It could get you into a lot of trouble."

Alex nodded towards him with a smile. The headmaster stood up, signaling for them to stand as well. He looked at Justin this time. "Your thirst for knowledge is no less than your mother's Justin, keep that up."

Justin nodded appreciatively. As he extended his hand towards his sister, she surprised all of them by launching herself towards the headmaster. She squeezed him quickly before stepping back next to Justin. "Thanks Uncle Dumbledore!"

Before the headmaster could say anything else, Justin grabbed his sister's arm and pulled her out of the room. As he looked back, he could see Professor Dumbledore standing silently, a mix of joy and shock on his face.

~~~~~

"Alright Alex, what gives? Tell me why you aren't mad anymore and where you were last night." Justin looked his sister with a serious expression as they both took a seat on a secluded bench in the quad. Alex's eyes lit up in excitement as she looked at him.

"You'll never believe me. I swear you won't!" She replied with a smile.

"Why not?"

Alex looked around before scooting closer to him. "I was in my bedroom since last night. I didn't even know it until I woke up a few hours ago. I started exploring the house, thinking it was a duplicate of the real thing, but it wasn't! I saw dad!"

Justin looked at his sister sympathetically. She had finally lost her head. She really thought that she was with their father. Justin shook his head at her sadly.

"Don't look at me like that!" Alex demanded, looking at him with irritation "I really saw him! He and I talked and he offered to give me a tour of the house but I told him I'd wait to see it with you and Harry. He was the one who told me to consider yours and Harry's feelings about being in the tournament."

"But Alex-"

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true!" She interrupted, looking at him seriously. "I saw dad today and I talked to him. You should be happy! If we can duplicate what I did, we can go see him more! Think about it Justin. Harry, you, and I can go see our dad whenever we want to!"

"Alex, this isn't a joke, is it? You really saw him?" Justin still had his doubts, but Alex seemed genuine about this.

"No it isn't. I really saw him and he looks great Justin! He's got the whole house ready for us. A room for you, and for me, and even for Harry." Alex smiled at him, her eyes showing genuine joy.

Justin couldn't help smiling back at her. "Tell me about the house."


Updated!