1996:

"Welcome to Grimmauld Place!" Sirius announced as they entered the tiny building. Alex looked around as his hands were weighed down by his bags. He would have to get used to the view, with it now being his home. There was a small pop and a house elf appeared before them.

"Master Sirius." it greeted, giving both of them the stink eye.

"Hello, Kreacher. This is Alex, who'll be staying with us for an undetermined amount of time." Sirius gave the house elf a glare, "I want you to treat him as if he's part of the family until he leaves for good, do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Sirius." There was a smirk on the house elf's face, however, as if he'd found a loophole of some sort. Then he disappeared before Alex's eyes, along with their things, leaving the teen alone with Sirius.

"Don't mind him." said the man, walking past Alex and into the rest of the house, "He's the house elf for my family but doesn't particularly like anyone who's not a pureblood, especially if they're a 'blood traitor,' like myself."

"Why don't you just give him some clothing and let him be on his way, then?" Alex asked. He had been depressed after Dobby had left the Malfoys, thanks to Harry, but he harbored no grudge, knowing it was better for the elf in every way.

"Considered it a few times, but he's really devoted to my mother's portrait up there." Sirius pointed up the stairs, "He's also been really useful, so I don't know if I should let him go just yet. He's also overheard sensitive Order information, so I can't just let him go."

"What happens to him if you die?"

"He goes under the ownership of any surviving Black, including Bellatrix." Alex frowned.

"That would probably be the end of us all if that happened, huh?"

"Definitely, which is why I can't let him leave but I also can't free him." Alex gave a slow nod.

"So, where's my room?"

"Upstairs, first door on the left." Sirius headed into the kitchen, "Want anything to eat?"

"Not now, thanks." Alex made his way up the stairs and Sirius watched him leave, but not for long.

"Wait!"

"Yeah?" Alex glanced down at him.

"Just make sure you don't go into my mother's bedroom, okay?"

"Why?"

"You know Buckbeak?" Alex frowned.

"The hippogriff that Hagrid used to train?"

"That's right." Sirius nodded, "He didn't die and now lives with me. He lives in my mother's bedroom now, so be careful not to go in there."

"I'll make sure I won't." He continued going up the stairs. Alex skirted around the covered portrait, a little jumpy at its muttering and sudden shrieks, and then he was on the second floor. Opening a door, he found all his stuff in the room, taken there by Kreacher. There was no one around and he went in and began unpacking. He was a little nervous, having to spend the rest of the Wizarding War in the untraceable place, but if something happened to him, his icon was still in the Weasley's clock, so they'd know and be able to do something.

"Looks like I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my reading..." he mused to himself. Once everything was put away he left the room, heading downstairs. He peeked into the kitchen, finding that Sirius was still there, and so backed out, wanting to explore the place. He had only been there a few days the last time he was there, so he hadn't gotten to explore much. As it was, he took the opportunity to explore the ground floor. There wasn't much to see until he entered the drawing room of the first floor, which was covered head-to-toe in a peculiar wallpaper he'd never seen before. It looked like a tree and on the branches were members of the House of Black, it seemed, including his older brother, Draco. Several images were burned off, however, including Sirius himself. Alex observed it in awe, touching it lightly to find that it was made of fabric, not actually a wallpaper at all. He jumped away when there was a small thump and looked behind him. He grew nervous upon seeing nothing except the furniture of the room and clenched his fists. There were certain tics he'd developed to help bring up the Obscurus and this was one of them. It bubbled up under his skin, silently hissing at the tension. Slowly, Alex walked around the room, observing the furniture, looking for the source of the sound. He jumped a little when one of the tables shook a little, making the same thump again. He watched it shake a little before it settled down again and considered calling for Sirius, but his curiosity was overriding his caution again. As the Obscurus growled at him not to do this, he ventured closer, slowly and cautiously. He jumped back when something leapt out of the drawers, churning in front of him like his own Obscurus. When it finally settled down into a recognizable form, his breath hitched, eyes widening in horror.

"Si...Si..." He gulped in air, trying to say something but barely anything came out. He scrambled back and landed on his bottom, fear still clutching his heart. Finally, managing to shut his eyes, he called out, "SIRIUS!" The man came running immediately and threw open the door.

"Al-?" He cut himself off, but then there was the slight whistle as a wand carved through the air, "Riddikulus!" There was a flash of yellow light behind his eyes and when Alex opened them again, the table was shaking.

"Are you alright?" Sirius helped him to his feet.

"What..." he squeaked, then steadied his voice, "What was that?"

"A boggart. Not really dangerous, but they get around by showing you your worst fear." Sirius helped him move out of the room, "Was that your worst fear?"

"I- I guess." They moved into the kitchen, both of them sitting at the kitchen table after Sirius has grabbed him some chocolate. All was quiet as Alex nibbled on it, only feeling slightly better.

"Are you not sure it was your worst fear?" Sirius asked slowly.

"Not really, no. At least, I don't think so. If I had to say what my biggest fear would be, the first thing that would pop up is losing Draco. But I don't wanna lose Fred, George, not even Mum or Dad."

"Well, you don't have to worry about seeing another boggart around here. I'll get rid of it."

"Wait." Alex's hand shot out to grip Sirius' preventing him from getting up, "How… how would I get rid of one if I faced it again?"

"The trick would be to use Riddikulus to turn the boggart into something funny and laugh at it. Since you don't have a wand, I don't know how you could do that, unless you learned to laugh at your fear. That'd confuse the boggart to no end. Like, 'I'm your worst fear and you're laughing at me, how is that possible?'" Alex chuckled a little as Sirius changed his voice as if to voice the boggart. Sirius smiled at the small bit of laughter, glad to have made Alex happy, if only for a short while.

"If I can control my Obscurus, maybe I can do that." His face dropped, "It'd be hard, but I'd get used to it."

"Don't do it unless you have to." Sirius warned, then stood up, "Stay here and eat your chocolate, I'll go deal with it." Sirius then left Alex alone. Alex watched him leave, then began humming to himself, trying to relax. It was something he only did when he was truly alone and he knew it and it helped a whole lot.

"Do you have the time," he hummed quietly, "to listen to me whine? About nothing and everything all at once?"

Near the end of July, Sirius brought Alex to the Burrow to visit the gang before they had to leave for Hogwarts. It was only for a short time, a few days at the most, but it was still a good time for Alex. It was also there, as he helped Harry celebrate his birthday, that he also learned of what was going on in the world now that there was an all-out war. Ollivander and Fortescue were missing, Dementors had been attacking, and a man named Karkaroff was dead. It was quickly explained to him that Karkaroff had once been the Headmaster of another wizarding school, Durmstrang, which Alex realized was faintly familiar before remembering that his father had once talked about sending Draco there instead of Hogwarts.

"He used to be a Death Eater, apparently." said Ron, "And you're sure your Dad thought about sending Draco there?"

"Positive. Good thing he didn't, huh?" Alex mused. Ron made an uncertain noise, "Hey, if it wasn't for Draco, you guys wouldn't know about me and where would we be then?"

"He's got a point." Harry added. It was then that Alex noticed Hermione's black eye.

"Got into a fight?" he asked. She touched her eye with a frown.

"One of Fred and George's pranks. A punching telescope, apparently." Alex winced.

"Yeah, I know how that feels. You won't be getting the bruising off until you get some of their special paste."

"We realized that a while back, thank you." Hermione said sarcastically. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Hey, at least you didn't do anything bad after it happened." Her eyes widened in realization and gave a nod. Alex assured that Fred and George may have had some extra paste in their room but no one wanted to go up and look, afraid to trigger another experiment or two, so Hermione would have to live with the black eye until they headed to the twins' shop later that week. Much of the rest of the visit went normally until the trio decided to invite Alex to come with them to Diagon Alley to see Fred and George. The blond was not as sure.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Alex questioned, "We could run into Death Eaters, if they've taken Ollivander from there."

"They know us, but they don't know you." Hermione reasoned, "They didn't know you last year unless it's been passed around. I think you'll be safe." Alex was still unsure and glanced at Sirius.

"Go ahead." said the man, "The war hasn't ramped up yet, you still have time to go around and do things."

"Okay." And so Alex went with them. Secretly he hoped to get a glimpse of his brother, hoping to find out if Draco and his family were okay. He may have said his goodbyes but that didn't mean he wasn't worried. With how his father was a Death Eater and close to Voldemort, Alex had little doubt that the Dark Lord would try to recruit Draco. It made him anxious beyond belief. He'd never be able to fight Draco if he had to, he cared too much, but if he could do something, just to prevent it, he'd do it. Sure, his brother was a bully, but he wasn't cruel, that much was true. He was taken out of these thoughts as the four plus Arthur, Ginny, Hagrid, and Molly entered Diagon Alley. Though he knew Fortescue was missing, that didn't mean he didn't feel bad when he saw the boarded up front of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

"I remember one time, Draco smuggled me some ice cream from here when we were little." Alex mused, "Never been inside but I loved the ice cream."

"How have you never been inside?" Ginny questioned. There was a small pause.

"It's a long story." He couldn't really tell them within earshot of Molly and Arthur, as it related to his secret and the Fidelius Charm was still in effect. Ginny nodded, seeming to understand.

"If it ever opens again, dear, I'll make sure to take you inside." Molly vowed.

"I'd love that, thank you." He gave her a smile, true in how he felt that she'd offer him that chance. They kept on walking, ignoring the stalls and hawkers trying to sell their wares, deliberating on where to go. They split evenly into two groups, Alex joining Molly, Arthur, and Ginny as they went into Flourish and Blotts while Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hargird went off to Madam Malkin's. The shop had certainly seen better days and, just like the street outside, no one was really stopping to talk, only to buy and get on their way. Alex knew that things had been getting more and more dangerous, but it wasn't until now how much it was affecting the Wizarding World.

"I don't like this." Alex rolled his shoulders back, anxious from the tension as he whispered to Ginny.

"Don't worry, it shouldn't take long." Ginny gave him a nod, "And after this we can go see Fred and George. How does that sound?"

"I'd love that. I bet they're the only fun thing that's left in the world anymore."

"Maybe." Alex and Ginny helped carry the books after they were bought and quickly raced out of the shop, heading to Madam Malkin's to meet up with the rest of the group. When they arrived, Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't seem to be in good spirits. The teens didn't lag behind the adults too much but did slow a little to whisper one another, hoping to learn what had happened at the robe shop.

"Your brother and mother were there." Hermione confessed to Alex.

"If anything, they were worse than before!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione shushed him.

"I know saying sorry for them won't mean anything, but I tried." Alex sighed, "How were they, though? Were they okay?"

"They were just fine." Harry said, "I think Draco tried to call Hermione a mudblood again but held his tongue. Looks like you've been a good influence on him after all."

"At least they're okay."

"Actually..." Hermione murmured, "Narcissa pulled me over for a moment to ask about you, if you were okay. I couldn't tell her where you were, but I told her you were fine."

"Thanks. That's all I could ask for." They all fell silent again as they went on to buy other things for the school year before coming across Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. It was at the end of Diagon Alley and was a brightly-colored splash of happiness in the glum street. Just the sight of it cheered Alex up. He heard a small gasp from Molly, glancing over to see her staring incredulously at a poster. He couldn't help but try to stifle a laugh at what he read.

WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO?

YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO — THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!

"Oh Merlin..." Alex chuckled as Harry and Ron started to laugh as well.

"They'll be murmured in their beds!" said Molly.

"No they won't!" protested Ron, "This is brilliant!" They then entered the store. It was packed to the brim with customers and it was hard to stay together in such a crowd. Eventually they found Fred and George, who must have been savvy with their business if it was thriving so well.

"Alex!" They gave him hugs upon seeing him.

"How have you been?" asked Fred.

"Sirius isn't giving you any trouble, is he?" wondered George. Alex rolled his eyes.

"I'm just fine, thanks." He patted his pocket, "I also wanted to try my pass out today, see if I could find anything I wanted to buy."

"Pass? What pass?" asked Ron.

"Oh, nothing." Alex said.

"Here, we can take you around for a tour." said George.

"And here's some paste to get that bruise off your eye." Fred handed some to Hermione.

"Are you sure it's safe?"

"Hey, we tried most of this on ourselves!" protested Fred, "We came out fine!"

"Alex can vouch for the paste, too." George said.

"That I can." Alex affirmed. Hermione sighed before using the paste on her eye before the twins led Harry and Alex away for a tour.

"So, you got our letter?" Fred asked. Alex nodded.

"Never thought I'd be able to stop by until the war was over, but I'm here now." Alex shrugged, "It's a great place, though. Everyone needs a little light in the darkness."

"You read our minds." George said, "But could you guys keep a secret?" Alex and Harry shared a glance.

"Sure, but why?" Harry asked.

"This way, we'll show you." They led the two to a backroom, the twins glaring at anyone who tried to pickpocket their wares without paying, and showed the brothers a line of clothes or various kinds.

"Are you into clothing now?" Alex picked up a hat, raising an eyebrow.

"That's a Shield Hat, actually." Fred said, "You wouldn't believe how many people don't know how to do a good Shield Charm, even in the Ministry-"

"Unless Harry's teaching 'em-"

"-and so we decided to capitalize on that a bit." Fred continued.

"We made Shield Hats to keep jinxes off you, like, say you trying to get your friend to jinx you and you watch the look on their face when it backfires." said George.

"Supposed to be a joke item, but then we suddenly got orders from the Ministry and expanded our wares."

"We've now got Shield Cloaks, Shield Gloves, etc."

"Wouldn't do too well against more powerful spells like the Unforgivable Curses, but with lesser and moderate ones, they work just fine."

"And then we decided to go into a while line of stuff for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" said George, "Instant Darkness Powder, Decoy Detonators-"

"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley?" A girl poked her head into the room, wearing the same uniform as the twins, "There's a customer looking for a joke cauldron."

"Thanks, Verity, I'll get right on it." George said, "And Harry, anything you want is free of charge."

"What?!" exclaimed the darker-haired boy, having already pulled out his pouch to buy some of the DADA things, "You can't!"

"Of course we can!" George said sternly, "You gave us our start-up loan, so you can get anything in the store for free." He gave a wink, "If someone asks, tell 'em where it came from." And with that, he went back out into the rest of the store.

"And because of the Malfoy fortune I get a discount because of my pass?" Alex quipped. Fred nodded.

"That's right. You're the only one who gets it, though. We're not even giving Ron a discount, even though he's family." Fred led them out of the room, "Any other questions?" The boys shook their heads though Alex and Harry did get a small supply of the Darkness Powders and Decoy Detonators. Alex still had a small pouch of money from his parents as emergency money and used it to buy the supplies, knowing he'd likely not use it for much else. And if he needed them, he now had another way to defend himself besides his Obscurus. It made him feel good for the first time since moving to Grimmauld Place.

It was the middle of October when Alex was told the news of what Harry suspected. It was not a big issue, as Alex himself suspected that Draco would become a Death Eater, but it didn't make him feel any better. And with how Harry observed Draco being more out of sight and mad than usual, Alex knew that his brother was under pressure to do something, but what was Voldemort's task? He didn't know for sure that it was Voldemort but he felt certain. As it was, he left his room and headed up to the third floor to see Buckbeak, holding Jack in his arms.

Ever since he'd learned that Sirius was caring for Buckbeak, he'd helped the man do it. He'd always loved hippogriffs, ever since he'd gotten Jack and this was no different. He fed Buckbeak, took care of him, even helped him get some exercise if needed. It was only after a few weeks of doing it that he noticed Sirius helping him less and less, only watching and making sure nothing went wrong. When asked, Sirius only said, "You and him, I can see the special connection." Alex hadn't seen any kind of connection between himself and Buckbeak but continued to help care for the hippogriff and, in times like now, go to see him just for emotional support. Opening the door, Alex found Buckbeak laying down, trying to rest. He raised his head up to look at the boy upon the opening of the door and gave a curious caw. Alex bowed before going any further, asking for permission to come closer. Buckbeak bowed back and Alex came in, closing the door behind him. He stroked Buckbeak's feathers.

"Hey, Beaks." It was Alex's nickname for the hippogriff, something that had just come up and when Buckbeak didn't mind it, Alex continued to use it. He showed Buckbeak his toy, "This is Jack." Buckbeak sniffed the toy before laying his head down again. Alex leaned against his side and kept Jack close before he began to speak, "Draco's a Death Eater now. I knew it was gonna happen, but that doesn't make it any better. I wish there was something I could do, but I have to stay here and out of sight with you. Do you think he'll be okay?" Buckbeak gave a small groan and shifted a little, "You don't want me talking when you're trying to get to sleep, right? I'll shut up, then." Alex went quiet and just spent time with Buckbeak, laying against the animal's side as he thought about everything that was going down in the world right now, if there was anything he could do to make things better, if just in a small way. Unfortunately, however, he was coming up with nothing and was depressed by this.

What can I do to help if there's nothing I can do? He thought sadly. He glanced down at Jack, I'm a beast, uncontrollable and untamable. I'm not good at anything except death and destruction. He got up and left the room, going downstairs. He went to the ground floor after putting Jack in his room, trying to walk off his thoughts, then heard something from the dining room. He peeked in, keeping himself to the shadows as he saw Sirius reading a letter. He was quiet, watching Sirius read and mutter to himself. He hid in a nearby closet when Sirius got up and left the room, and when he looked back in, he found the letter left behind. Making sure the man wasn't coming back, he went in and read the letter himself.

'Padfoot,

'Glasses has given a third prophecy and we believe it may have something to do with Xander. Listed below is the prophecy, word-for-word. I am only giving you this in the greatest confidence that you won't share this with anyone else, certainly not the Faiths. I fear for Xander's life and only hope it doesn't come to pass too soon.

' - Brian'

Like the letters from Harry and Hermione, it was encrypted and it didn't take long for Alex to decrypt it. He murmured it under his breath to make sure he understood it right, not quite believing what he was reading.

'The beast will overcome those that swear to tame it, only to fall when he who knows little love learns to love again. Before it ends, sense of self will die and brotherhood knows no more. Born just before the day of Love, the beast switches hands again and again and again and Death will follow until the end of its days. Death and Beast are intertwined and will never separate, even at the efforts of brotherhood. Death will come for the beast many times but it will only go when it decides to be tamed. Brotherhood will be nevermore, nevermore, NEVERMORE!'

Alex's head shot up when he heard footsteps before diving under the table. He held his breath as Sirius came back in and grabbed the letter before leaving again. As Alex got out from under the table, he came face-to-face with Kreacher.

"Naughty boy." he drawled. Alex frowned.

"Don't say a word of this to anyone or do anything that would make them suspicious." he ordered, "After all, Sirius said you have to treat me like I'm a master as well, right?" Kreacher frowned.

"Of course." He then disappeared. Alex didn't trust the house elf for a minute as he snuck back to his room, hoping that Sirius wouldn't grow suspicious. He didn't quite understand the letter or the prophecy, but if it had something to do with him, he knew that he was going to die. Even though it wasn't completely clear, he knew for certain that he was entwined with Death, that he was the 'Beast' mentioned in the prophecy. Everyone dies someday, but his seemed to be coming sooner than others'. He had to do something too make an impact so that he didn't die doing nothing.

I have to leave. he realized, I don't know what I'll do, but I have to leave. He went back to his room to begin planning what he would do, when to do it, and so on. It would take a while, but then he'd be out of everyone's hair. Whatever the 'brotherhood' was, he wasn't going to destroy it by staying.

It was almost December and he was almost out the door when he was caught by Sirius. He'd been trying to avoid the man while he was planning but still spent enough time to not seem suspicious but he was still caught regardless, his hand resting on the doorknob when Sirius appeared at the end of the hall.

"Alex?" Sirius blinked, taking note of the backpack on the teen's shoulders, "What are you doing?"

"Leaving."

"You can't leave, it's too dangerous!"

"I have to, so no one can trace this place because of me. Even if we're both covered by Fidelius Charms, they can always be broken."

"You're not going anywhere, Alex." Sirius had his wand out. Alex gave him a sad look.

"I'm sorry, Sirius." And with a single gesture, all the man could see was a black, mist-like thing heading at his face. His head smacked against the wall and he was out like a light. Alex observed as he crumpled to the ground, then used a finger to stroke the Obscurus. It purred under his touch.

"Thanks." Alex opened the door as he returned the parasite, "Now let's go." And with that, he left Grimmauld Place.

It was hours later that Sirius awoke to find Remus looking after him. They were in Sirius' old bedroom, Remus having put Sirius in bed to take care of him.

"Remus?" he groaned.

"Easy." The man forced Sirius to lay back down, making sure he couldn't get up, "You have a bad hit on the head. You're lucky you don't have a concussion!"

"Alex did this." he said. Remus frowned.

"I see." He checked his watch, "You've been out for several hours and because Alex didn't show any magical abilities, he was never put under the Trace. He could be anywhere by now."

"I can't believe he knocked me out!" Now that he was getting more and more awake, Sirius was becoming incensed, "Who does he think he is?!"

"I'm sure he has a reason." Remus said, "And calm down or you'll get a headache!" Sirius groaned again.

"If Fred and George don't kill me first, the Malfoys will."

"Give Alex some credit, though." Remus spoke, "Whatever made him leave, he was able to knock you out and disappear. I think he has enough sense to stay off Voldemort's radar and contact us when he needs to. I don't like this as much as you do but there's nothing we can do at the moment."

"Don't remind me." Sirius closed his eyes. He felt terrible that he'd allowed Alex to leave and bad that he wasn't able to keep a promise, even if it was to Lucius Malfoy. He could only hope that Alex would be okay, whatever he was doing now.