Magnus POV

Alec stumbled away from Magnus, a frustrating yet still annoyingly adorable sight, and soon he was out of sight.

Damn it, Magnus thought to himself. He had been so close to kissing Alec, something he had wanted to do for a while, but somehow Alec had managed to slip through his grasp once again.

Magnus didn't even plan any of this. But then, the Durmstrang champion walked onto the field, and her blue eyes reminded Magnus of Alec's eyes and how he didn't see Alec since he sat at the Ravenclaw table for the first time, and he felt a sudden need to see him again (not that the need wasn't already there). He had originally just intended to talk with him, throwing in a few suggestive flirts and winks as he always did, but Alec had just looked so beautiful, even though he was wearing what he wore every day, what every student wore every day. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't see him in a while or his feelings for Alec had been growing, but Magnus was suddenly overcome with the need to just grab Alec by the front of his shirt and pull him into a kiss and never let him go. However, he was worried it would scare him away so he didn't do just that. But the need to be with Alec was too strong, so, before he knew it, he was stepping closer to him and leaning in-

And then Alec was gone. He had started to mumble some excuse and his cheeks were flushed in that endearing way and Magnus just wanted to reach out and grab him by the arm, much like in those cheesy romantic films that the older kids would sometimes watch in which the girl was about to walk away but the guy would pull her into his arms and kiss her right then. He wanted to stop Alec from leaving, steal at least one kiss after weeks of waiting. But he was still worried it would push Alec away and he didn't want that. And so he watched in sadness and shock as the boy, that he was so sure liked him, walked away.

Why was this one so challenging? Why was everything so complicated with him? What had made him feel this way over this boy? What made him so different yet so much better? Magnus didn't know if he would ever figure out the answers.

He sighed and turned to make his way to the Black Lake. The first task was clearly over; there was no point of sticking around anymore. He would just take a short walk around the grounds, much like his walk with Alec, and attempt to forget those wonderful blue eyes, and how they were so full of hope, when he had started to lean in to place his own lips on Alec's for a kiss that would never be.

Magnus was walking to the Great Hall in a pair of bright green skinny jeans, a light blue top and a black leather jacket. He had his hair spiked up with the ends dyed blue and he had black eyeliner on, and, of course, there was plenty of glitter. He had planned his outfit specifically for today.

It was almost 9 o'clock on the day of the Hogsmeade trip. Magnus was walking quickly to the Great Hall. This was the day. He would finally get a whole day with Alec. No interruptions, no excuses, and no missed opportunities. True, Goldilocks and the three Gryffindors would be there as well, preventing anything from actually happening, but Magnus was determined to find a way to get rid of them.

As Magnus walked the corridors, he took the time to appreciate how different everyone looked. Most everyone in their third year and up were wearing muggle outfits, a huge change from the typical robes. Muggle fashions had become very popular in the Wizard World in the last few years. So, as today was a day where the students would be leaving the castle and heading to the village, they took advantage of this opportunity and went all out to express themselves amongst their fellow students, the ones they do not see during the breaks. There were students in items from designer outfits to clothing from thrift shops, muggle-borns in fandom t-shirts or sports jerseys, and even some students designed their own clothes, adding magical features such as the ability to change size or color. The corridors were an explosion of colors and fashions, and Magnus loved it.

He walked into the Great Hall and spotted Alec by the Gryffindor table, and he took a minute to appreciate what he was wearing. Alec was in a pair of black skinny jeans and a light blue shirt, both of which fit him very nicely, showing off his toned body, which surprised Magnus because he didn't play Quidditch and there weren't exactly many sporting opportunities at Hogwarts. He was holding a vogue leather jacket, and looking very uncomfortable and tugging at his sleeves. In truth, the outfit wasn't what Magnus would have expected Alec to wear. Magnus saw Alec glare at Isabelle a few times and it clicked- Ah, she must have made him wear that. Magnus made a mental note to thank her for that in the future as he moved towards them.

Isabelle was wearing a pair of black floral lace sheer leggings, a red lace peplum top, black high heeled boots, and a leather biker jacket. Simon was standing next to her in loose, worn, blue jeans and a shirt with Darth Vader on it (which Magnus knew because they played those movies at the orphanage from time to time and he found he actually quite enjoyed them). Magnus noticed Clary and Jace weren't there yet and it was just Alec standing of to the side of Isabelle and Simon, who were in deep conversation about who knows what.

Magnus walked up to the group, stopping right behind Alec. "Hello everyone."

Alec stiffened in front of him and Isabelle and Simon were shaken out of their conversation. Everyone turned to look at the new arriver. Simon and Alec's eyes widened at Magnus's outfit, while Isabelle looked him up and down and gave a nod of approval.

Isabelle was first to speak. "Oh, hi! You must be-"

"Magnus," Magnus replied, cutting her off. "And I assume you, with the great fashion sense, are Isabelle."

"Call me Izzy," she replied, smiling. "You're not looking to bad yourself."

"I'm flattered. Oh and you," he said looking to Simon. "I know you two are dating, don't look so jealous." Simone just stood speechless, as Magnus continues, "Which means, you are Simon. The nerd shirt gave it away. And, of course, I know you, Alexander," he said, throwing said boy a wink that somehow went unnoticed by Simon.

"Soooo, now that we are all here, let's go?" asked Izzy.

"Wait, what about Jace and Cla-" Alec began.

"They aren't joining us. The wanted to have some 'alone time' so they will do their Christmas shopping together," Izzy explained. "So, let's go."

Magnus thanked his luck that he wouldn't have to put up with Goldilocks, and the group started to make their way towards the village. They fell into an easy conversation quicker than Magnus predicted. They talked about the Triwizard Tournament (of course), the most recent Quidditch World Cup (which happened on the summer of last year), and school work. Magnus even joined in when Simon started to explain the story of Star Wars.

When they arrived at Hogsmeade, Izzy suddenly exclaimed, "Simon, let's go look inside Gladrags Wizardwear." She grabbed Simon by his wrist and started to drag him along.

"Okay," Alec said, following his sister.

"Whoa, whoa, hold up there," Izzy replied, turning around and stopping Alec. "You can't know what I'm getting you for Christmas. It has to be a surprise. Why don't you go look around for my gift with Magnus?"

Magnus was starting to like Alec's sister more and more by the second.

"But-" Alec protested.

"That sounds like a good idea," Magnus interrupted with a satisfied smirk.

Izzy smiled. "Great. Come on, Simon."

"Wait, I still have to get you your gift," Simon began.

"Then you can look for that while I pick out Alec's gift." The two started walking away, hand in hand.

"I was hoping your brother would help me choose out your present…"

"I'm sure I'll like whatever you get me," Izzy replied, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

Before long, they were gone, leaving Magnus and Alec alone. Alec tugged at his clothes adorably, clearly feeling uncomfortable.

"So, let's look around," suggested Magnus.

"Sure," Alec responded.

The two started to walk around until they fell into an easy conversation. They talked about just almost everything as they walked in and out of shops, and soon they were talking and laughing like old friends. Magnus flirted less than he usually would have since they were out in public and he knew Alec wasn't out and wouldn't be comfortable with it. But whenever there was barely anyone around, he took his chances. Their fingers would brush when they walked side by side, Magnus would grab Alec by his wrist to drag him into yet another store, he placed his hand on Alec's briefly when he was about to take something from his grasp, Magnus asked him if he wanted any candy from Honeydukes and not didn't let him have any unless Magnus placed it in his mouth, he insisted on paying for Alec's butterbeer, and he would spend as much time as he could looking at and admiring him. Alec's face turned Gryffindor scarlet more times than Magnus could count, and he loved it. Alec did manage to find a gift for his sister, despite all the distracting Magnus attempted to do. The two stopped at most every store, including Tomes and Scrolls, the village book store, and decided to pick out a surprise gift for Tessa, because even though Magnus and Alec didn't spend much time together over the last couple of weeks, the two each spent time individually with Tessa, and she had become a pretty good friend of theirs.

"I really hope she didn't read this one already," said Alec as they walked out of Tomes and Scrolls.

"That's a hard thing to hope for," Magnus replied. "She has probably read most every book that has ever been published. But maybe she doesn't have a copy of this, so I think we're good."

"That's good," Alec said. "Do you want to head back now?"

"Why not?" replied Magnus.

And so they made their way back to the castle, but they somehow ended up roaming the grounds. The temperature started to drop and Alec was rubbing his hands together to stay warm. His cheeks had a small taint of pink because of the cold, creating the same adorable look he got when he was embarrassed. Magnus really wanted to wrap his arms around him, to warm each other with shared body heat, but he didn't know how Alec would take it.

"Are you cold?" Magnus asked.

"A little," Alec replied.

"Here, let me help." Magnus took Alec's hands between his. They were really cold, as expected, but also soft yet slightly calloused in some spots, but the skin was mostly smooth.

Alec made a small gasp when Magnus grabbed his hands, but didn't pull away. Magnus started to move his hands back and forth a little, creating the much needed friction. Alec's hands didn't take long to warm up.

"Thanks," Alec said bashfully.

"No problem," Magnus replied tenderly.

Neither of the two pulled away.

Snow started to fall from the sky, fluttering in tiny little flakes. Some got caught in Alec's hair, contrasting brilliantly with his ebony hair, and his wide eyes shown more brightly than ever. He looked so breathtakingly beautiful.

You know what, screw it. I'm just gonna do it, Magnus decided.

"You know Alec, there's something I've been meaning to do."

"W-What's that?" He asked shyly.

Magnus gave him a small smile. "This."

And he leaned in.