An: Well I'm back and I apologize for taking…after a severe episode of writer's block, a new job, wedding planning and a case of strep throat, I have a new chapter up and ready to go. Hope you guys enjoy and please let me know what you think!

OH! And thanks to Ocean-Beauty for your awesome comments and to tell you the truth for a moment I did consider whether or not to write anymore because of that but as long as there people who still want to read it I'm ready to keep writing. I hope you'll continue to like it!

Chapter Twelve: The trouble with…forget love just dating

The lingering silence between the two siblings was more than Ada could bear. It was hard to disguise her feelings at what she had heard the day before but here she was, sitting with Alexander, but no words could escape her lips. What would his reaction be to her revelation? Her first reaction had been to seek Alexander immediately and tell him what she had heard but Ada didn't. She locked herself in her room, lost in her memories and scared of what the implications of this might mean. In fact, even a commotion by the marauders downstairs couldn't shake her from her thoughts.

"Are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" Alexander smiled down at his sister. Alexander had been more than a brother to her; he'd been her father, her guardian angel always, watching over her.

"Do you ever find yourself forgetting?" Ada sighed after a short silence. Alex looked at her in confusion.

"Forgetting what?"

"Mum and Dad." As the years had gone by Ada found herself remembering her parents less and less. When they had first died, it was easy to look back on the simple things that had made them a family, laughing around the kitchen table, bedtime stories, hugs, even their voices. It seemed distant and yet the pain felt as if she had only lost them days before.

"Sometimes. As the years pass it's harder to remember the little things. But they are not forgotten Ada. I know that you were young when it happened but I promise; I won't let you forget what they did for us…ever." Alexander replied, while glancing towards his sister. "Now, what's really bothering you?"

How could she tell him? There was something more regarding her conversation with Professor Slughorn but no…it couldn't be possible! There had to be a logical explanation to what her heart was saying. It didn't make sense that two families could conspire to kill their children, but then again, in the war anything was possible.

"It can't be…Nicholas?"

"Now do you understand why I'm doing this Cecilia? If your family doesn't die tonight I might as well be dead. It's not personal at all with me…I'm just saving my neck."

"Nicholas…" Ada gasped at the sudden memory of that night. The name her mother had managed to utter in surprise. It had been the first clue…to the murderers. Out of the corner of her eye, Ada could see Alex tense up. Quickly standing up he asked,

"What did you say?"

"Yesterday, I saw Professor Slughorn and he told me that…that he knew our grandfather. His name is Nicholas Kensington." As soon as she began, Ada couldn't stop, making sure her brother knew every necessary detail, anything she might've missed and he could pick up on.

…And then, he refused to tell me anything else." As Ada had finished, there was a moment's silence as Alex seemed to be recollecting his thoughts. As the information began to sink in, Alexander's face changed from confused to miserable to angry. Pacing back and forth, Ada could pick up certain words but not enough to comprehend what Alex was thinking.

"Alex what are you thinking?"

Suddenly his anger was replaced by a calm demeanor. Clearing his throat he replied:

"It doesn't matter. He'll get what he deserves in time. Right now we have to concentrate on urgent matters." Ada had taken this as her cue to stand up from his usual spot by the Hogwarts Lake. This had always been her thinking spot and where both siblings always held their conversations regarding the pact.

THIS IS AN URGENT MATTER!" How could just shrug the information off just like that? If there was a possibility that their grandfather helped to commit the murders they should be planning what to do next! "Do you think he might be the one who?"

"Murdered mum and dad? It's probable. But the last I need is for you to get into hysterics over all of this. The last thing we need is two enemies at once. We need to focus on one and then turn our attention to the other. Now as I was saying…urgent matters."

She couldn't remember half of what her brother had said next…it was the usual conversation on manners and etiquette, on what to say or do, and rehearsing our conversations…all in all it was as boring as a lecture by Professor Binns!

"And then… Ada? Are you paying attention?" Alexander interrupted.

"Yes yes... No more detentions for hexing students in the hallways, having to act more like a lady, I also need to learn how to control my emotions and to take things seriously along with everything else you've been repeating to me for ages." Ada was extremely frustrated with her brother lately not to mention Dayaneria S'rendi...who Alex had begun dating officially not too long ago. Sharing your brother with your enemy wasn't something Ada was willing to do. "I wish you'd take it easy and let me be myself for awhile! I'm not a lady and I wear my heart on my sleeve what do you want me to do Alex? I can't change who I am!"

"I'm sorry Ada but if I've been hard on you it's because I want you to be safe. Besides I was asking you about Professor Slughorn's party." Alexander replied in his usual calm manner.

"What about it?"

Alexander ignored his sister's grumbling before continuing "I think you should go."

"I don't really feel like going. Besides, I really don't appreciate his attention after years of that oaf pretending I never existed. Why is he interested in me all of the sudden?" She asked the last part mainly to herself.

"Well you have changed Ada. I can't explain it but it's a bit difficult to not notice you now. But I really believe this dance will be good for you. In fact, I have something that might help change your mind." Alex added, knowing that curiosity would get the best of his little sister.

Ada could only wonder what was so good that could convince her to go to this dance. It would have to be some thing really special.

"How do you feel about Rowan?"

"Me? Rowan Alden? Your friend Rowan?" Ada asked, pleasantly shocked by her brother's question. But she couldn't show her brother how nervous the mention of his friend really made her.

"Well...he's the only Rowan we know. Are you blushing Ada?" He laughed, noticing the look on his sister's face. "This is working out even better than I believed it would."

"Of course not. What about him?"

"Well apparently he fancies you. I talked to him earlier today. He was asking me if you were dating anyone."

"He was?" Ada was trying to act as uninterested as she could but she couldn't quite believe what she had just heard: Rowan fancied her! Her look of pure bliss didn't go unnoticed by Alex though.

"So…Here I was thinking that you fancied either Potter or Black and it turns out you were in love with my best friend all along." He added with a sly smile…

"I certainly wouldn't call it love. That would be ridiculous." Ada replied trying to hide her embarrassment. It was obvious that her brother knew already so what was the point in denying it to him now? Besides, the circumstances in their lives did cause them to become closer than the average brother and sister. "Besides, now is not time to be thinking about Rowan or anybody else."

Ada began to make her way back into the castle; she needed to get away from all talk about pacts and murder. Because as the months continue to pass live had begun to complicate itself. The fear of the unexpected began to take over Ada, giving her nothing more than sleepless nights and poor grades. Sometimes it seemed as if she didn't know her brother anymore. Alexander had become emotionless and extremely secretive as time passed. What she needed was some time with Claire and Lily and some laughter over a box of chocolate frogs and pictures of cute boys.

"Where do you think you're going?" A voice yelled after her. And it didn't take long before her brother caught up with her. "Stop being so dramatic Ada. It's the perfect time to be thinking about Rowan." He added, turning her around to face him.

"I can't believe you? You want me to use him don't you?" She should've known what her brother was expecting of her! It was one thing to do what they were doing but Ada wasn't willing to start getting others involved. So what if Alex wanted to do the same to Dayaneria…she deserved it! But Rowan…he'd done nothing to deserve what she knew her brother would be pondering.

"Oh so what if you use him for a bit of information it's not like you love him! You said so yourself. I'm not asking you to use him and break his heart into a million pieces. I'm just asking you to consider how nicely this fits into our plan. Think about it Ada, I'm his friend but as Rowan's girlfriend think of the information and the help you can receive from the Alden's."

This was beginning to sound like a horrible idea. Yes she didn't love Rowan but she liked him a good deal enough not to hurt him. It was funny really. She had always dreamed of becoming Rowan's girlfriend and having her brother's support and encouragement but not like this.

"I knew I should've done this by myself! You're too childish to even comprehend what needs to be done."

"But Alex…"

"Just go. I'm sorry I tried to force you into doing this because you're obviously not ready." Alex frowned. He began to make his way into the castle, his face full of disappointment. That look was enough to break Ada's heart. Because even though she believed that was wrong in using Rowan, that non of this etiquette planning mattered and that his decisions were beginning to worry her, she also knew that he'd never hurt her. And everything that Alexander did was to honor their parents' memory.

"Alex wait!" She called out after him. "If he asks me to the dance I'll do it!" Ada hoped she wouldn't regret what she had just said. But to her relief, what she received in return was enough to bring a smile to her face. It was the closest Ada would ever see that would resemble a smile from her father. Because just as she resembled her mother, Alexander Kensington looked exactly like his own father.

"I'm so proud of you Ada. And don't worry he'll ask you sooner than you think. Now let's go inside."

"Alright."

As Ada finally began to make her way back to Gryffindor common room, she was absolutely ready for that box of chocolate frogs with her girlfriends. Now that she thought about it, the situation really wasn't that drastic. Rowan after all was planning on asking her to the dance any moment now and wasn't that what she had always wanted? The circumstances could have been more romantic but life wasn't like those novels that Claire read about English Dukes who went at it like rabbits with the beautiful Count's daughter after falling in love with her at first sight or whatever those stories sounded like. Honestly, life was a lot more boring and less passionate than that.

Unfortunately her thoughts would once again be interrupted by two of the people who had been farthest from her mind lately…

"Psssst…pssst."

Well this was odd. Ada looked around but was pretty sure that no one was there. Unless it was one of the ghosts or that damn Peeves! Continuing to walk a little bit faster, she could still sense that there was someone or something following her.

"Alright. I know I'm being followed so whoever it is, show yourself now before I hex you from here until next December!" She called out, pulling out her wand in case there were any surprises.

Of course nothing had prepared her for this…

"Might as well show ourselves it seems we've been caught." A voice came out from under…an invisibility cloak? "Besides I don't about you Sirius but I really don't want to be hexed until next December"

I guess you're right James. Besides how long did it take for Snivellus to recover from the last time she hexed him?"

"You two! I should've known. This explains everything!" Ada said, angry enough that even she was surprised the words were able to come out. Of course, every prank that had ever been played on her must've been done with the use of an invisibility cloak…these bastards had a lot to answer for.

"The time you turned my hair blue, the toad in Claire's soup, the babbling potion! It really was the both of you." Ada continued while the both continued to stare straight ahead, looking as innocent as can be. "But of course, we had no evidence at the time."

"Ada I know you're angry but how long ago was that?"

"SHUT IT SIRIUS!" She yelled. Some of the pranks were kind of funny now to tell you the truth but the babbling potion. That was one she'd never forget! "Not long enough. Especially for the babbling potion!"

"I'd forgotten that one. Remember that one James? It was great!"

"Hilarious mate!" Ada continued to look at them in disbelief…were they laughing?"

"If I were you I would sleep with one eye open from now on because the both of you are going to pay for this dearly!" She added storming off.

"Where do you think you're going kid?"

"Let me go you pretentious b-"

"Hey easy on the language." James interrupted while Sirius continued to hold a struggling Ada. "You wouldn't want to say anything you'd regret later."

"Let me go or I'll give you something you're going to regret later!"

"Hey calm down! We're here to talk to you."

"About what Sirius?"

"About your uncle." Ada immediately stopped struggling in his arms she was too shocked at his admission to keep fighting. They knew about Uncle Christian but how much did they really know? Did they listen to her conversation with brother when they talked about the pact? She couldn't bear to think about the consequences this would bring.

"Now are you ready to talk?" James asked as they led her down the hallway. This was bound to turn ugly.

Chapter Thirteen: How will this two vs. one confrontation turn out? Will Rowan finally work up the courage to ask Ada out? Will Ada accept his invitation? We'll find out next time…Please R&R.