Sorry it took a while... it's show week for the whole school musical...

Alex

Lara walked into the music room at eleven thirty, her thoughts filled with her usually babble about Remus. She sent me an evil look at that thought.

What? It's perfectly true, I replied smirking and she arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, because you're really one to talk! And don't you smirk! You've been hanging out too much with those blasted Marauders too much Mr I think I love-" I threw a pillow from a nearby bench at her and it sailed over her head as she ducked, already hearing my plan before hand. I found myself blushing anyway, even if the name hadn't been said.

She pulled out her beautiful violin and I caught a glimpse of the family motto before she tucked it under her chin. So, we going to do this thing or not? She said. I rolled my eyes at her and sat down at the beautiful grand piano. I had long ago put the music aside, learning it off by heart, just like Lara. We warmed up quickly then played the whole tune, breaking out into improvisation half way through.

I was nervous about tomorrow, even though I was basically the one who persuaded Lara to do it. I couldn't help thinking I would make some stupid mistake in front of the whole school. Lara wasn't worried about that, damn her and her stubborn bravery and cockiness, I doubted she would even care that much if we did make a mistake. She couldn't care less what people thought of her, well, apart from Remus and Lily and the other Marauders. I however had been ditched by all of my friends before, just for... being different. It made me shudder inside remembering it. The dark looks, disgusted as they glared at me, avoiding my eyes, my friends of five years. Some friends, I know. It had made me slightly insecure – to say the least. Could you blame me?

And then there was Darien.

No, I will not think of him. It hurt too much.

He had been our friend for so long, since we were toddlers and then... then he had just changed. And that wasn't the worst of it...

Remus

I wondered toward the common room. I'd woken this morning to the gentle lulling hums of Lara who was sitting in the chair next to me. Much to my pride, I somehow resisted the initial reaction to jump out of my skin in shock and I took the time to watch her instead. She had been sitting there, a stack of parchment floating in the air in front of her with a quill whizzing across its surface. Her hair was pulled up into a high pony tail and yet it still managed to reach the middle of her back.

She smiled softly and her eyes slid to mine, obviously sensing my awakened state.

"Your mother well?" She asked sweetly and sarcastically. I'd chuckled.

"Depends on how long you have been here" I'd replied and she'd smiled sadly.

"Well... considering its ten thirty and this is the fifth stack of paper... quite a while" The parchment gently settled on the bedside table. "Pomfrey asked me to give you this when you woke, though she neglected to tell me what I was..."

She picked up a small unidentified bottle which I recognised as shape stabilization potion which helped my body recertify its form. She'd dutifully, with an air of practice, measured out a dosage and handed it to me. I saw her frown at the lurid orange colour. I could almost hear her brain trying to figure it all out.

The too sweet taste stuck to my throat and coated my tongue, even the smell seemed to clog up my nose. Ugh. At least I felt more comfortable moving now; without it my brain still though I was a wolf for a while and all my movements were jerky.

She'd sat with me for a while and we'd talked. I noticed her gently twisting her hair and wondered what she was nervous of worried about. I refused to think it was me.

Then she'd left, talking about meeting her brother and I had been alone again...

I reached the portrait hole without even realising and I started as the Fat Lady questioned me.

"Are you going to give me the password or not?" she said irritated.

"Oh... right. Pumpkin mash" I said distractedly.

Alex

I was walking back to the portrait hole when I was interrupted. Lara had gone off to the library and I was wondering through the complex network of corridors. I was debating visiting the kitchens, which I'd discovered with the help of the boys, and was thinking about the happy house elves there. I had house elves at home of course, I was from a snobbish pure blood family after all, but they were rarely happy. Father hated them, thinking them nothing more (and sometimes less) than slaves. It was one of the things (among many) that made me feel sickened by him.

The corridor was seemingly empty so when a voice came from the shadows I was naturally surprised. I hadn't noticed their presence, which shocked me.

"Alex. We need to talk" I looked up, frozen, and saw the familiar shadow of a young man in the darkness of a nearby window, almost completely blending in with the darkness. I reached for my wand as I watched him liquidly rise from the ledge seat and walk into the light. His thoughts were just as hidden as before, a cold imposing wall marring his brain.

I wasn't scared; he'd done the worst he could to me and none of his cronies were with him this time. Smart choice.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly, tying not to flinch as I saw the effortlessly striking face belying his Italian heritage. I knew that face.

Darien Irvine stood still before me, the usual smug face he'd worn since he'd changed gone. I could almost imagine things were as they once were. Almost.

"Many things, but to the point, as I said, I want to talk" He said calmly, his accent wrapping around his word like I remembered. It was odd to hear that accent again, after living with it all my life and then it suddenly disappearing into the strictly English voices of Hogwarts. It brought memories flooding into my brain.

Stop with the nostalgia Alex!

"Well, I don't. Goodbye" I said stiffly before turning on my heel and walking down the corridor.

"Wait! Ally, I just want to-"

I span on my heel, my wand already out.

"Don't. Don't you dare call me that. You hear me? Don't you dare!" I spat at him, my tightly clenched lips quivering with anger.

The smirk came back and I gritted my teeth.

"Why? Don't you like the little pet name, eh? You used to like it" He leered and I stared at him in hatred "Look. I just want to talk, okay?"

"You have ten seconds before I curse you, you better hope you talk quickly" I said, my wand still raised and pointing at his chest. His rolled his eyes and I almost cringed at the familiar gesture. It made him look so god damn innocent.

"Fine. Whatever. You're making a mistake."

"You're right. Ten second is much too long to stand your presence" I sneered but he ignored the comment.

"Listen, for Merlin's sake. You are making a huge mistake. You know what I'm talking about. Your father will force you either way, you know that right? You won't have a sliver of a chance. Don't you think it would be better to join now, on your own terms?"

I stared at him for a moment, letting the words process in my head. Then I laughed loudly as realisation came and he scowled at me.

"You have got to be joking me! Are you seriously, seriously, trying to persuade me to join the Death Eaters?" I said disbelievingly.

Of all the things? Me? A Death Eater? Didn't remember anything about me?

"Is that not what you're bloody birth right is!" He shouted, frustrated "It'll be a lot harder if you have to be forced first. You have no bloody idea do you? You think your dear father was bad? Well, try being on the end of the Dark Lord's wand!"

His words were bitter, twisted and cruel. I felt a stab of sympathy – briefly – before remembering it was his own damn fault. The time for sympathy was long gone.

"Look, I know you hate the idea, but think about it. As much as it seems otherwise I don't want you to be hurt"

I snorted. Right.

"I find that hard to believe surprisingly" I said sarcastically, memories of his spiteful face surfacing in my thoughts with the added flames of the Crutiatus curse. I'd never believe before that he'd want me or my sister hurt but that time had proved me wrong and I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

"I'm sorry okay? I had to do it" he said tiredly.

"You didn't have to do anything; neither Lara nor I would have done it to you" I spat at him; he didn't understand how much he had hurt me. Hurt us. He didn't get the emotional as well as physical consequences of his actions. He'd broken my heart. No; he'd done a lot more than that.

"Well aren't you both saints, no wonder you were put in mimsy-pimsy Gryffindor." He said sardonically, biting every word "I do what I have to do to survive. As should you and any other idiot who wants to live in this world. Things are changing Alex Grey and your precious side are losing. Don't you understand the opportunities being handed to you as if on a plate? You can get out of this war safe so easily!"

I had had enough.

"Your ten seconds are up Irvine, I'm going" I span on my heel and walked away but he continued to shout after me.

"You're already walking a fine line, both of you are, and it would make your life a lot easier if you ju-"

I turned sharply again, for the second time, to face him, my face boiling with anger. My wand spluttered silver sparks. The air around me seemed to boil and I could practically hear it churning.

"Easier? Oh yeah I'm sure it would. It's only going against every moral in your body, only being forced to kill, control and torture innocent people! Do you really think I would consent to that? Do you really think Lara would be able to raise her wand that way? Lara! Merlin who the hell do you think you're talking about? Tell me, how does it feel to watch people writhe and scream at your feet? Tell me Irvine? Tell me! I'm all ears and who knows, maybe I'll actually believe you"

He didn't answer; I shook my head in disappointment.

I walked away without turning back.

The next day me and my friends arrived at the great hall and found that it had been decorated for the occasion. Floating above the tables a hundred pumpkins floated dreamily, the lights within flickering. Each pumpkin was carven with a glowing face, slightly cheesy but effective never the less. The orange light danced across the array of golden cutlery and serving dishes, now empty. It was a beautiful sight and even with my nerves at fraying point I found myself awed by the room.

The boys chuckled at my face and we walked to our usual seats.

I also didn't fail to notice the grand piano at the front of the room. I gulped and rubbed my hands.

Lara was already there talking to Alice and I saw I violin case on the bench next to her. She looked up at us as we came over and sent me an encouraging smile. We were going to be performing just before the feast and I was thankful as this meant I had nothing in my stomach which would be asking to come back up. I sat down opposite her and watched the remaining students take their places.

I didn't look towards the Slytherin table.

All too soon Professor Dumbledore was calling us up and I plastered on my calm face and straightened my shoulders. I didn't acknowledge the many eyes that follow us; I just listened intently to Lara's thoughts.

Remus

Alex looked like he would have been sick if there was anything inside him. It wasn't that obvious but I could see the signs there. His jaw was clenched and he kept flexing his fingers. I saw Lara sending him looks.

"And now I would like to introduce Mr Grey and Miss Grey who will be playing us a piece of music before we tuck into our voluptuous feast" Dumbledore ending his speech with a sparkling smile.

Alex stood, stiffening his shoulders and relaxing his face, while Lara gracefully rose to her feet, a violin case over her shoulder. The both walked down the aisle proudly and I could hear the quiet gossiping mutters of students. When they got to the front Alex sat down at the large black piano and Lara pulled out a dark glossy violin and bow. She tucked the instrument beneath her chin and raised the bow to rest of the strings. It seemed to me the whole room held their breath as a moment of tense silence echoed through the hall. And then, without any signal, Alex began to play and Lara drew out a heartfelt note.

I was completely caught in the music, as cheesy as it sounds. The melodies and harmonies seemed to swirl and dance around me and touched every corner of the room. It was a heartbreaking song, edgy and yet surprisingly peaceful, it wasn't the sort of thing you could describe, I found later. The music seemed to illustrate the twins, working effortlessly off each other, shifting here to complement the other, diverging mutually into a new tune. It was beautiful.

Lara's fingers danced and vibrated up and down the strings as her bow swept across them. Silver hair fell and swirled around her back and her face was peaceful and entirely absorbed. Even from here I could see her eyes were slightly clouded signalling her constant connection to Alex. She was wholly at ease and didn't seem to even notice the audience. Alex too seemed to have become relaxed and not just the forced calmness he applied to his face before. His eyes also were misted over.

Then suddenly the music changed and Lara slowed her playing. I was confused for a moment, thinking the piece must be over, that was, until Lara opened her mouth and began to sing.

Lara

It was times like this that I truly appreciated the connection between myself and my twin. Having him a part of my thoughts constantly was natural for me, there was always that presence in the back of my head and I always knew what he was thinking when he was there. I saw what he saw, felt what he felt. I always had a duo perspective. When we were apart I felt lonely and empty inside my own head. That surly wasn't natural.

However, with our music we seemed to double fold our connection. I could practically feel his fingers flexing and flowing over the keys of the piano. Merlin, I could practically feel him feeling my fingers on the fret board! Though, it wasn't just this; it was as if we shared one intricate broad mind. We were always evaluating where the other was taking the music and collaboratively we would twitch, develop and define the harmony, dynamics, tempo, melody, so that it was just right – all this while playing. It was the most polished, organised improvisation possible.

We did have a predesigned piece of music of course but this was more a basis for everything else. We never played the same thing but we always returned to that original piece.

So it was that the singing part was inlaid. The words flew from my tongue, sharp and clear, a beautiful German song. I felt Alex matching a harmony part delicately.

I didn't feel the minds around me; to me I was alone in the hall with my brother.

Sirius

I just didn't know where to look! I tried not to stare in amazement as Alex started to sing, really I did. However I felt just as self conscious looking at Lara. Remus, of course, was too absorbed to even notice my looks but what if someone else did and made assumptions? I mean it was Lara! Any other girl and I would think twice about people making ideas, hell I would encourage it. Yet Lara was different... she was more like a sister now or it would be like flirting with Lily e.g. I could lead to serious injury, if not from the girl but the relevant boy.

As for Alex. It would not be right to stare at my singing pianist friend now or ever.

Regardless of this I found my eyes drifting, my mind as ever disobeying me.

The music was poignant and their voices filled the whole hall. Alex seemed completely relaxed in a way I'd never seen him. He seemed to glow in the weak lighting as it sparkled off his hair. His hands effortlessly and naturally moved over the keys of the piano as if it was another part of him.

Their voices drifted away and Lara started to play her violin again.

It seemed too short a time before the song drew to an end and the hall erupted with sound. I nearly feel out of my chair as the people around me rose to their feet to clap. I quickly jumped up with Remus and clapped my hands together till they were numb. They gave a quick bow and then practically sprinted back to the table. Their faces were pink and flustered at the praise around them. Alex seemed to be taking this side of the recital better than Lara, who was now furiously wiping her hands and sweeping her hair behind her back. They both collapsed into their chairs and Lara was immediately attacked by Lily. Remus sat by with a soft look in his eyes – the bloody romantic.

Alex has his easy innocent smile on his face, not the cocky one he'd inherited from us, but a truly joyful one. His glittering grey eyes met mine and I gave him a grin.

"Well... at least that's over" He said just as the gold saucers filled magically.

"Well done" Was all I could say but he seemed to understand.