Hello again! Sorry about the long wait for this chapter. I was inspired to write another kind of fic, still centered on Malec. It's called: "To The One Who Loves Him Next." Here's the synopsis if you're interested: Alec wrote a letter about Magnus after they broke up- a letter that Alec never intended to see the light of day. However, Isabelle has no intention of letting her brother be a heartbroken mess and secretly resolves to get them back together.

Without further ado, here is the latest chapter, hope you enjoy and please leave a review! :)

~ xx Lady Knight xx

"Alec and Magnus, I would say that your myth on how glitter came to humankind from the Greek goddess Aphrodite was very…creative. While you may have deviated a bit from the set prompt, I believe that your unique interpretation was highly effective, excellent use of details, demonstrated good public speaking skills and your classmates certainly seemed to appreciate the free samples of glitter you handed out." Magnus read out loud to Alec, who was waiting next to his locker. His mouth dropped, then turned to grin at Alec.

"We got an A-!" They hugged for a moment and then Alec pulled away shyly, smiling widely.

"Hey Izzy!" he said, still smiling and pulled her in for a one-armed hug. "Guess what? We aced this English project!"

"Wow!" Isabelle exclaimed, hugging her brother. "Congrats." she said, nodding at Magnus. "So I hear we're all going to be at this New Year's Eve party together?" she asked, but it didn't sound much like a question.

Magnus nodded and Alec reached out to Magnus, lightly linking his fingers with his, connecting them all for a moment.

"And Jace is bringing Clarissa, right?" Alec said, slightly frostily.

Isabelle nodded. "And I'm bringing someone too." she said firmly.

"You are? Who is this guy? Have I ever met him? Isabelle, I have to meet him first before you bring him. He could be a con artist or a…a-"

"A really nice guy? Yeah, he could be." said Isabelle, winking at Magnus. Magnus winked back.

"Let it go, Alexander," Magnus said, pulling Alec closer. "You'll meet him at the party."

"It's not that idiot Meliorn, is it? I swear I'll break his face if you show up with him." Alec threatened.

"I'll see you both later." Isabelle said, winking again.

"Come on," Magnus said, pulling Alec down the hall. "We're finally on break!"

"I know. I'm excited. But Izzy…" Alec turned to watch her go, but she had already disappeared. "I worry about her."

"I know you do." said Magnus cuddling him. "But she's a big girl."

Alec snorted. "She thinks she is. But she'll always be little to me."

"Well, although it's thrilling to think of you fighting for Isabelle's honor," Magnus batted his eyes. "I'm quite sure Isabelle can take care of herself."

"Alec! Hurry up!" Isabelle rolled her eyes, stomping her high heels, which made a sharp clack against the tile. "It's already eight o'clock! We were supposed to be there half an hour ago!"

"Coming, coming…" Alec muttered, clattering down the stirs.

"Wow." Isabelle stopped for a moment, staring at her brother. "Alec, you look good."

Alec smiled.

"Magnus picked out your outfit, didn't he?"

"God, Isabelle, why do you always say that!"

"Oh, you're just embarrassed that it's true," she said, picking up her purse.

"Hurry up!"

"Watch my sweater!" Alec said, as Isabelle pulled him out the door. "So where's this guy of yours?"

"Come on, everyone is meeting us there." Isabelle said, not answering the question.

"Fine, fine."

"Alec." Isabelle stopped suddenly, sending Alec flying past her.

"What, what? I thought we were late?"

"I just want to say," she said, looking directly at him. "That I love you so much. No matter whatever utter crap Dad says or thinks." She smiled, but her lips quivered slightly.

"Izzy…" Alec's eyes seemed to catch a glint of the light as tears flickered but did not fall. "C'mere."

They hugged for a moment, then Isabelle pulled away, flicking her long hair over one shoulder and taking his arm, said: "Let's go. A certain sparkly boy and a really nice boy is waiting for us to show up."

"My certain sparkly boy is nice too." Alec grumbled, but they had finally made it out the front door.

Arriving at the party, they were immediately greeted by Jace, Clary and a tall boy with curly brown hair and glasses.

"Hi, I'm Simon." he said to Alec, holding out his hand while Alec eyed him suspiciously. Alec stared at him until he let his hand drop awkwardly. Quickly, Isabelle laced her hand through his and glared daggers at Alec.

"This is my older brother, Alec. He's delighted to meet you, aren't you Alec?"

"Oh, definitely." Alec said, grinding his teeth and glaring back evenly.

"Hey." came a voice in Alec's ear, arms wrapping around him to pull him back. "You look great."

Alec felt a rosy blush build as he leaned back into Magnus's embrace.

"What's wrong? You feel…tense." said Magnus, hugging him tighter.

"Magnus! Have you met Simon?" Isabelle asked brightly.

"Hello there." said Magnus, eyeing Simon and his obvious discomfort with the surroundings. "Trying to bring Keds back, huh?"

"Well…er…um…" Simon began, but then Clary cut in.

"I wouldn't say it's a conscious effort." she said, smiling brightly at Magnus.

"Ah. Well, we're all here, aren't we? My friend Catarina is here too. I think I've misplaced her…" he said, looking around the room with a slight air of puzzlement. He released Alec to take a few steps back, scanning the crowd.

Instead of Catarina, Magnus spotter Ragnor, holding hands with Raphael Santiago. His long green hair was braided back and he appeared to be wearing eyeliner. Raphael wore a dark leather jacket and looked darkly handsome. Both were laughing, seemingly existing in a small world of their own. Magnus blinked several times slowly.

"One minute." he managed to say, grabbing Alec's hand and ignoring everyone else.

"Magnus? Are you okay?" Alec asked, trying to slow Magnus down.

"I- just have to-" Magnus started to say, then stopped, arriving at the table where Raphael and Ragnor were seated.

"You two…?"
"Have discovered a mutual loathing of your completely ridiculous and glitter-ridden hair styles." Ragnor said swiftly. "While you've been doing your so-called "English project" with Alec, I've been closing the coffee shop each night with Raphael."

"I- I see." Magnus stuttered, his eyes still as wide as quarters.

"Best of luck. We're both so happy for you," said Alec who was smiling. He gently took Magnus's hand and pulled him away.

"Are you alright?" Alec asked softly when they had found a relatively quiet corner. He stroked a piece of Magnus's hair back, a strand of which had fallen forward. "Did you…um…have feelings for Ragnor or whoever that was?"

Magnus turned to look at Alec. "I…I believe I am in shock." he said, starting to laugh extremely loudly. "I never, even in my wildest dreams, believed that those two would date. And to answer your question, darling: NO, I've never had feelings for either of them." he said, laughing hysterically now.

Secure in the darkness of the room, Alec drew Magnus toward him while Magnus laughed into his shoulder and Alec started to laugh with him.

"Well at least they make each other happy. But I've always liked your hairstyles. And we really were working on an English project!" Alec protested.

"Those two are completely perfect for each other." Magnus snickered. "Two bitter little cabbages living happily together. Who would have thought?!" he said, descending into giggles again.

"Well, if you hadn't talked to me then we wouldn't be together either, right? Crazy things happen all the time." Alec said, smiling.

"True." Magnus nodded. "Shall we find the others?"

"Yes." Alec said, frowning. "I need to meet this Simon, and talk to him a bit."

"Alexander. While it is terribly sexy to see how protective and strong you are, perhaps you could give Isabelle a break. It is New Year's Eve night after all." Magnus said, stroking Alec's cheek. "Ha! I can see you blush even in the dark."

Alec believed he might have blushed more at his touch and his words.

"I guess." he mumbled. "You might need to persuade me a little more, though."

Magnus grinned. "I can do that."

When they found the group again, they saw Jace and Clary discussing literature and the best way to slay a certain demon, while Isabelle was trying to convince the gawky Simon to dance with her.

"C'mon! I'll teach you. It's really simple." she said, never wobbling a bit in her eight-inch stiletto heels as she demonstrated the dance steps. At her words, the song switched and a slow song came on.

"Well, we could try this one-" she began to say, but Alec barged in.

"Izzy, why don't you chat with Magnus for a bit?" Alec asked, grabbing Simon's forearm and propelling him in the opposite direction.

Isabelle rolled her eyes and plopped down on the couch. "Hurry back. If I don't get a chance to slow dance this evening, then I will be very angry. You don't want to see that, Alexander Gideon! I know where you sleep!" she yelled after them. Alec flapped a hand in distracted acknowledgement of her words.

Magnus flourished a bow to Isabelle, then held out his hand. "Would you do me the honor? I'd hate to see Alec injured just because you didn't get the chance to dance."

Isabelle grinned.

"Let's show them what they're missing.