~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 :)
"Are you sure you don't want me to wait for you?" Hermione asked as she finished packing away her makeup bag.
"Yes, no need to wait for me. I still haven't even pulled my dress out of the garment bag." Alex looked towards Hermione with a smile as she examined her friend. "You look beautiful Hermione."
"Thank you." She blushed. "It's not too much, is it?"
"Not at all! If you think that's too much, then I can't even imagine what you'll think of my dress." She laughed.
"Okay." Hermione smiled. "I will see you there. Don't take too long, the champions will need to make their entrance soon."
"Right." Alex nodded.
Hermione sent her another smile before making her way out of their dormitory. Alex sighed as she stood and walked over to the garment bag hanging over her bed. She pulled the zipper down, smiling to herself as she looked at the dress. It really was perfect.
"Just walk out and dance with Cedric. Then you can leave." Alex said outloud to herself as she pulled the dress out of the garment bag. With Fred and George preoccupied by their dates and Alex avoiding Harry and Justin, she didn't have any other reason to stick around at the ball. "You got this."
~~~~~
"Justin." Justin turned slightly away from Ginny as his eyes fell on an approaching Cedric. He had a slight look of concern on his face as he stopped in front of the couple. "Have you happened to see your sister anywhere?I've yet to spot her."
Justin shook his head. "No, I haven't. I don't know that she's even here yet." He began to scan the area as Cedric frowned.
"She was just finishing up with her hair." Hermione chimed in, joining them outside the Great Hall. To his surprise, Victor Krum was following right behind her. "I'm sure she'll join us soon. She knows the Champions have their entrance."
"Wow."
"Absolutely gorgeous."
"Who is that?"
"Love her dress."
"Woah." Cedric looked past Justin, an expression of complete awe on his face.
Justin turned curiously as the whispers and gasps grew around them. He looked up towards the stairs where his eyes fell on a floral pink gown descending the stairs. As his eyes traveled up he did a double take. Alex.
~~~~~
Alex tried not to groan outloud as the people standing outside the Great Hall turned towards her and stared at her. Maybe her dress was too much. She kept her expression stoic as she continued down the stairs, her eyes searching for her date. She just wanted to get this over with already. She frowned slightly when she spotted Cedric standing in front of the Great Hall entrance with her brother and Ginny. All three were starting at her with surprised expressions on their faces. A few feet away from them was Harry, who was also staring up at her in as much surprise as the others. Hermione was beside him. She looked at Alex with an encouraging smile.
As she turned her focus back to the stairs, she found Cedric had made his way towards her. "Alex." He extended a hand towards her. He had a neutral expression on his face but she could see the stunned look still in his eyes. As she reached the last step, she took his extended hand.
"Sorry I'm late, I had trouble with my dress." She whispered as she let Cedric tuck her arm below his own and lead her towards where the other champions were lined up.
"Not a problem. You made it just in time." Cedric assured her.
Alex kept her eyes forward as they passed Harry and Justin to take their position at the center of the line of champions. Music blared from the Great Hall as the doors flew open. Fleur and Victor marched forward with their dates as a round of applause came ahead of them. Cedric stepped forward next, leading Alex inside after the others. She quickly composed herself as they entered, smiling at the cheering students around them. Fred and George shot her a thumbs up as they passed which made her smile. Her eyes also caught Adam's as they passed a group of Durmstrang boys. He smirked, sending Alex a wink that she didn't think anyone else noticed. She quickly averted her eyes as they arrived on the dance floor and the music stopped. Cedric placed a hand on Alex's waist and took her other hand in his own as Alex placed her free hand on his shoulder. The music started again as Cedric gracefully navigated them through the dance floor. Alex kept her eyes on the floor as she tried her best to not step on Cedric's toes.
"Relax Alex. You're doing fine." Cedric assured her as he released his hold on her waist to spin her.
"Easy for you to say. You're a pro at this." Alex whispered as they returned to their previous embrace.
"It just takes practice."
"Or you have to be good at everything. Like you are." Alex mumbled as she looked up at him. He was staring at her, a slight frown on his face. He quickly spun her again, his expression not changing.
"I'm not good at everything." He finally said as he spun her back into his arms.
"Star Quidditch player, top of your class, super popular amongst your colleagues and teachers... should I go on?"
Cedric couldn't help but crack a smile. "Okay... maybe I am good at a lot of things."
Alex relaxed slightly. That was the first time she had seen him smile while in the same room as her since she had told him about her kiss with Harry. "It's nice to see you smiling again."
"What are your plans for the rest of the night?" Cedric asked her, quickly changing the subject as he spun them towards the edge of the dance floor. They passed Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, who were making their way onto the dance floor.
"Changing into some cozy pajamas and laying in bed."
"I didn't mean after." Cedric frowned.
"Neither did I... I'm planning on heading back to the dormitories after this dance. I'm not needed for anything else anyway." Alex shrugged as Cedric stopped moving.
"What do you mean, you're leaving?"
Conveniently, they had ended their dance by the entrance of the Great Hall. She looked at the dance floor to see her brother was watching her with a look of concern as he danced with Ginny across the dance floor. She looked back at Cedric. "I am. And if we're done here, I think I will see myself out."
Before he could respond, Alex turned and made her way out of the Great Hall. She was ready to get rid of the gorgeous dress and heavy makeup. Hopefully her best friend was free for a phone call.
As she exited, she could hear footsteps following behind her. She sighed to herself as she stopped suddenly. Probably her brother, getting in her business again. She turned, expecting the night to end with another argument, but stopped short when she realized it wasn't Justin who had followed her out.
"Oh... uh Cedric. I thought you were my brother. Was there something else you needed me for?"
Cedric stepped towards her, a look of concern on his face. "No. I was just wondering why you were leaving. Aren't you going to stay and enjoy the rest of the ball with your friends."
Alex shrugged. "I didn't really want to third wheel Fred and George... and it seemed like Hermione was excited to spend the night with Victor. So really there is no one else for me to hang out with..."
"Justin?"
Alex sighed. "He and I aren't exactly talking right now... ever since our fight in the Great Hall last week."
"Right... I heard about that." Cedric scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "What about Harry?"
"I asked him for some space to sort out his feelings."
Cedric looked at Alex in confusion. "Sort out his feelings? Is he not sure of his feelings for you?"
Alex stared at Cedric blankly. Was he really talking to her about Harry's feelings for her? "Actually... I told him I can't reciprocate his feelings and that I needed some space."
"Oh." Cedric said in surprise. "So you two..." Cedric paused, looking at Alex in confusion.
"There's nothing between us." Alex said bluntly. Cedric opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself. Alex sighed, crossing her arms over her chest impatiently "Cedric... I... I'm sorry about the kiss with Harry. And I know this apology is late but I just haven't been able to even muster up the courage to look at you since the kiss. But you have to believe me when I say it meant nothing."
"Then why did you kiss him?" Cedric asked, a look of defat on his face. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I don't know. I think for a moment I thought it did mean something or it would... but then it didn't. And it's not an excuse even if that was the case, but it happened."
"But you waited to tell me. You avoided me for an entire week. And then you told me when I told you about my feelings for you." His voice quivered slightly. Cedric took a deep breath, breaking eye contact as he tried to compose himself.
"You can be angry. You don't have to be calm. Let it out, let me have whatever angry words you have holed up. I deserve it."
Cedric sighed, his eyes returning to Alex. "I am angry Alex. But I would never yell at you. That's just not in my character. No matter how upset I am. I'm just frustrated."
"I know I should have told you sooner but I felt so guilty. I didn't even know how to tell you. But I meant it when I said the kiss meant nothing. As soon as it happened, I immediately realized my mistake. In that moment I thought about you and what I would lose because of that kiss... or rather, who I would lose. I hated myself for it. And I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but I love you so I needed to at least try to apologize to-"
Alex was cut off as Cedric's lips met hers and she felt her back hit the wall. At first she was in too much shock to respond, but she recovered quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her to deepen the kiss. Maybe she was dreaming. Or maybe this was his way of kissing her goodbye. She forgot how much she loved kissing Cedric. She was disappointed when he finally pulled away, but slightly relieved to find that he kept her in close proximity, his arms staying securely at her sides as he leaned his forehead against hers.
"Do you mean it?"
"That I'm sorry?" Alex looked at him quizically. "Of course-"
"No... I mean, when you said you loved me." Cedric smiled at her.
Had she really said that outloud? Alex racked her brain at the words that came out of her mouth before their kiss. Oh! She looked at Cedric, seeing the familiar expression on his face as he looked at her. It had felt like so long since he'd looked at her like this
"I do." She smiled back at him.
"Good." He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Because you know how I feel about you."
Alex placed her hands on his chest as Cedric snuggled her closer. "You mean it?" Alex couldn't help the tears that threatened to spill. "Are we okay then? I won't stop apologizing for the kiss if that's what it takes."
"Of course I mean it." Cedric smiled at her assuringly before leaning forward to give her a quick peck on the lips. "And I don't need you to keep apologizing. I honestly would prefer we forget the kiss and our time apart even happened." Cedric looked down at her sadly. "Since that day all I can do is imagine you and Harry kissing."
"I'm sorry." Alex frowned.
Cedric smiled at her before planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. As his eyes returned to hers, he freed one of his arms from her waist to caress her cheek. "You don't need to keep apologizing anymore. I do appreciate them though."
Alex looked over Cedric's shoulder as she heard the door to the great hall open and a few Ravenclaws emerged in the direction of the girls restrooms. She looked at Cedric again to see him watching her expectantly.
"Did you want to go back to the ball?"
"Perhaps later." Cedric smirked. "I may have heard of a few good spots for snogging without attracting any attention. We have a lot of snogging to catch up on."
Alex pointed a finger at him. "I hate that word, and you know it. But..." She smiled at him mischievously. "I am willing to go check out said spots if it means ditching this thing."
"Deal."
~~~~~
Harry made his way through the courtyard, looking strangely at the carriage that creaked a few feet away from him. He was tempted to take a peak inside, but thought better of it as he stepped into the walkway on the other side of the courtyard. He slipped quickly behind a pillar as he heard an angry voice nearby.
"It's happening again Severus! And you have no reason to deny it."
"I see no reason to discuss this here."
Harry quickly concealed himself behind a pillar before peeking in their direction. He spotted Professor Snape standing across the courtyard with the headmaster of Durmstrang. Snape pulled out his wand and swiftly made his way towards the carriage Harry had passed earlier. The door to the carriage flew open as he stopped in front of it.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Russo. And the same for Hufflepuff, Diggory." Harry watched in surprise as Alex quickly slipped out of the carriage in embarrassment and ran towards the castle. Cedric followed after her with a similar expression of embarrassment. They must have worked things out... Harry sighed in disappointment.
As the two disappeared into the castle, Harry turned his attention back to the courtyard to see Igor making his way towards Snape.
"It's a sign Severus!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Snape turned towards another carriage and looked inside.
"Really? Then you wouldn't mind lifting up your sleeve? Stop denying it. You are scared, Severus!"
Snape turned back, narrowing his eyes. "I have nothing to be scared of, Igor. Can you say the same?"
The Durmstrang Professor stared back angrily a moment before turning sharply and walking away angrily. Snape stared after him a moment before making his way in the opposite direction.
"What do you think they were talking about?"
Harry turned in surprise. "Justin?"
"I saw you leave. I thought maybe you were looking for Alex. I haven't seen her since the first dance so I thought I'd follow. I caught only the end of the conversation though." Justin walked towards Harry, a concerned look on his face.
"I was looking for Alex, but you just missed Professor Snape docking ten points from both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."
Justin laughed. "Which idiots did he catch fooling around here?"
"I'm not sure what you mean by fooling around, but Alex and Cedric seem to have made up." Harry frowned.
Justin looked at Harry in surprise. "Really?" He looked away awkwardly. "I mean, I'm happy for them but with how tense things have been lately, I figured maybe they were heading towards a breakup."
"So did I... or I was hoping anyway." Harry sighed. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Harry decided to quickly change the subject before Justin could ask him about what he meant. "I think they were talking about Voldemort."
Justin looked at him again in surprise. "But Professor Snape-"
"Is on our side?" Harry interrupted, shaking his head. "I'm not so sure about that. Whatever they were talking about, I'm determined to find out."
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