I'm back! it's been a while, I know, but summer is here so expect more updates soon!... right after I come back from a trip... sorry!

In other news, I'm Matthew Daddario trash.

Thanks for all the sweet reviews! Glad you guys are enjoying this :)

(Also, most of you have voted for the 7-10 chapters so unless a drastic change comes, it seems that will be the option I go with. Those 7-10 chapters, however, include (and start from) the last chapter since I made the poll before that was out... I already have the next 5 chapters after this planned, and unless I decide to have an epilogue, the story is drawing to an end :/ sorry guys. But I have plenty more stories in the works that I'm really excited about)

Alec's POV

The sky up above was crystal clear, with not a cloud in sight, the sun beaming down, giving that comfortable spring warmth. There was a light breeze and the sound of nature buzzed all around. The Black Lake was still, or at least it would have been if not for the rocks skipping across its surface in rapid fire, one after the other.

Alec groaned as yet another rock didn't make it past the second bounce. Another one, he thought to himself, picking up another rock by the shore of the lake.

He imagined each rock was a problem in his life, a person that pushed him around or told him what to do, or an issue that brought him down. And each time he threw a rock, he was sending that problem further and further away. The only problem was that he was too frustrated to focus, so the rocks didn't make it that far, but he kept trying.

Sebastian.

He tossed the rock.

Camille.

Another rock.

Dad.

A third one.

Mom, for not doing anything.

Number 4.

The years I spent trying to please my parents.

Another rock.

The years I spent in the closet.

Another rock.

The Wizarding World, for not fully accepting me and those like me.

Another rock.

Myself, He picked up another rock, about to toss it. For not being good enough for my dad's approval, for even being gay and starting this mess in the first place. Maybe if I wasn't gay none of this would have happened.

He paused, rock still in hand.

No, he told himself firmly. This isn't your fault. There is nothing wrong with being gay.

He thought of Magnus, confident and sure of himself, kind and caring, and amazing in every way. You would have never had him if you were anything like what your dad wants you to be. He thought of everything this past year, his first kiss, the long walks across the grounds, the late study nights, curled up besides each other in the library, when he finally came out… all moments that would have never happened if he wasn't who he was.

There's nothing wrong with me… he concluded. This isn't my fault. There's nothing I have to change. They were the ones who had to change their views. They caused all of my problems.

That only made him more frustrated.

Why do they even care so much? It's not like it affects them. And why does my father hate it so much? Shouldn't he love me for who I am? Shouldn't he want me to be happy? Magnus makes me happy. If I'm happy, shouldn't that be enough?

He tossed another rock, this one only bouncing once, before he heard a voice behind him.

"Alec?"

He didn't bother turning around; he knew who it was. Instead he just grabbed a fistful of rocks and continued on as he had before.

"Sorry, I had to get out," Alec said. "I don't know what came over me in there."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Magnus said, his voice closer now.

"I just… I…"

He groaned, running his hands through his hair. "I'm sick of them, and of everything. Why do they even care so much about me and who I date? It doesn't affect them in the slightest. And I'm sick of people telling me what to do."

He paused, realizing that he was just ranting at this point. "I'm sorry, you probably don't want to hear me rant about my stupid problems."

That was when he felt hands on his shoulders, turning him around. "Alec, look at me," Magnus said.

Alec reluctantly turned his head up to meet Magnus's eyes.

"There will never be a time that I don't want to listen to you. You can say anything to me."

Alec shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I snapped back there. It's just everything was building up and I couldn't take it. My parents in the paper, then the howler, and Camille and Sebastian never leaving me alone about this, and then they had the nerve to come up to me after the howler and rub it in my face, not to mention all the stress that was building up due to the N.E.W.T.s and I…"

Magnus pulled him in for a hug. "It's okay, it's okay. Everything will be fine," he whispered in his ear.

"I know it will be," Alec whispered back. "I don't care what anyone says anymore. I'm happy the way I am; I don't need their approval."

The stayed like that for a moment, holding each other tight, Alec wondering how he got to be so lucky as to have Magnus in his life. Then Magnus whispered, "I hate to end this, but the headmaster is waiting for you in his office."

"We should probably head back then," Alec replied, breaking the embrace.

"That we should," Magnus agreed, placing a chaste kiss on Alec's cheek.

They made their way back to the castle, hand in hand.

When they turned the corner onto the hallway that lead to the headmaster's office, they saw Tessa pacing the hallway past the door. She turned her head up when she heard them approaching.

"There you two are. I was beginning to think that Alec ran away."

Magnus nudged him forward. "Yeah, sorry about that," Alec apologized. "I just had to get away. Sorry for the outburst, too."

"As much as I usually don't condone violence, Sebastian got what was coming to him. It was quite awesome, actually."

"And hot, too," Magnus added.

"Magnus!" Alec exclaimed, blushing.

Tessa chuckled. "You two are too adorable. Now get in there, Alec, he's waiting for you. The password is 'Pumpkin juice'."

Alec made his way through the doors, repeated the password, and walked up the stairs. When he reached the office door, he knocked.

"Come in."

Alec walked in and sat down across from the headmaster. He was a man in his 40s with short brown hair and brown eyes. He had become headmaster a couple years ago, after the previous headmistress retired. She had been reaching her 80s and decided that it was time to leave.

Alec had barely come in contact with the current headmaster. He was a very personal man, and he didn't come in contact with the students or professors unless he had to, and Alec only saw him at meals and events, and only heard his voice whenever he was giving a speech. So, he had no idea what to expect from this meeting.

"I want you to tell me what happened in the Great Hall."

"I snapped," Alec answered simply.

"That I could tell," he chuckled. "Care to explain?"

Alec sighed. "It was just something Sebastian said. It doesn't matter. Just give me whatever punishment I deserve."

"Alexander…"

"He was just picking on me as usual. I got a Howler from my dad and he saw it as a perfect opportunity to mess with me again. And I was just sick of it so I snapped."

"Care to tell me what he said?"

"He called me a fag," Alec whispered softly.

The headmaster leaned back in his chair. "I though bullying over that topic was over in this school."

"Well, clearly it's not at Beauxbatons," Alec muttered.

"I'll talk to their headmistress, but that is all I can do about him. As for you, you know I don't accept violence in this school," he said sternly.

"I know."

"But… since you've never done anything like this in your seven years, your track record is completely clean, and you seem to be a pretty good student, I'll leave you off with a warning."

"Really?" Alec couldn't believe he wasn't being punished.

"But, if this happens again, I won't look it over. And, I'm taking 25 points from Ravenclaw. Do I have your word that you won't act out again?"

"Yes, sir," Alec responded.

"You may go," the headmaster told him.

Alec stood up and was about to walk out when he turned around. "Thank you, sir."

He smiled in response and waved Alec out of the room.

Well, that went a lot better than expected, Alec thought.

"Well, how did it go? What did he say?" Magnus asked him.

"Fine, actually," Alec replied. "He let me off with a warning."

"Really?"

"Well, a warning and 25 points from Ravenclaw."

"That's great!" Magnus exclaimed.

"Wait," Tessa said. "25 points? That brings us down to second!"

"Sorry…"

"Really?" Magnus asked Tessa, who nodded. Magnus's face lit up with a smile. "Finally! That puts Slytherin in first! House cup, here I come!"

"Now look what you did, Alec."

"Is it really that important, guys?" Alec sighed, rolling his eyes.

They both gave him an incredulous look before looking back at each other, bursting out in laughter.

"Not really, no," Tessa said.

"But, it's fun to get back into that first-year state, where the house cup is the most important thing ever," Magnus added.

Alec rolled his eyes at them again. "Come one, let's go."

As they neared the Great Hall, turning the corner, they saw Izzy heading their way, Simon at her side. Simon seemed to notice them first and he whispered something to Izzy, who looked up and ran towards Alec. Alec barely had a second to prepare himself before Izzy tackled him in a hug, arms wrapping around his neck.

"I've been looking everywhere for you! I was worried something happened," she exclaimed.

"I'm… I'm fine Izzy," he responded, breathless.

"Don't scare me like that again," she told him.

"I won't. I'm sorry, Izzy," he whispered to her.

"Good," she said, pulling away. "I love you, Alec," she whispered to him, only loud enough for him to hear. "I don't say it enough but just know I do." She wiped something from her cheek and only now Alec could see that she had been crying. But Izzy wasn't one to typically show her feelings… I must have really worried her, running off like that.

But Izzy played off the moment as if nothing happened, drawing attention away from her tears.

Alec pulled her back in for a quick hug. "I love you too, sis," he whispered back to her.

And though he couldn't see it, he could feel her smile at that, and he smiled in return.

Hope you guys liked that! Also, that reminds me, mind pitching in some triwizard tournament task ideas for the final task. I don't want to do what was in the book/movie because in that world, the tasks are never the same and I want something new. I have some ideas in mind but if any of you come up with something I might use it (and I'll credit you, don't worry).

Okay, that's it for now. Review? Thanks! Love you guys :)