A/N: I know, I know, it's been forever since I've updated. SORRY! I actually had about half of it written, I just couldn't get back into it for a while. Anyway, this chapter has a little more emotion in it. Enjoy!

Chapter 8- Reciprocations

When I got back to the common room it was no surprise to find Fred and George there waiting for me. Everyone else that was still up were staring at me like I was some kind of disease. I wasn't necessarily shocked by their reactions, I always knew that when they found out it would make me like a leper or something. To be honest, the only reaction I was worried about was Harry's. I didn't see him, Ron, or Hermione though so I'll have to wait to see what their reactions will be.

I walked over and sat down by Fred and George. Fred wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me closer. I smiled and laid my head on his shoulder.

"So...what happened?" George asked me.

"Well, I've got detention with Snape for a month."

"So, what about..." Fred started, and I knew what he meant. I looked at them, and smiled.

"I don't have to use my mom's maiden name anymore," I told them cheerfully. They smiled back.

Both Fred and George knew how much I've hated using my mom's maiden name. The only reason I did was because she was so intent on nobody finding out she'd had a kid with him. I knew my real name would probably get out this year, but honestly I'm glad everyone knows now.

"Well, Miss Black, would you like to join us in a game of exploding snap?" Fred offered. I nodded.

"Great! Let's play!" George said, clapping his hands together.

-----

The next day was interesting to say the least. Angelina, Katie, and I had a talk before breakfast. They said they didn't care, and I could have told them sooner, but they understood why I didn't. When we got to breakfast everybody was whispering, and I knew they were talking about me. Classes were the same way. Other than the teachers the only ones who still acted like I was the same person were Fred, George, Katie, Angelina, and of course Jason. Jason had promised he wouldn't tell mom about me changing my name back, but I knew it'd get back to her sooner or later.

There was one person I wanted to talk to though. Well, more like I needed to talk to him. Harry and I had seemed to be getting to know each other a little better, and though I know him a little more than he knows I still needed to talk to him. With everyone thinking my dad's a mass murderer, and people telling him that my dad broke out to kill him, he needs to hear a few things. I wish I could tell him everything he needs to know, but I know I can't, at least not yet.

I found the object of my search out in the courtyard with Ron and Hermione. I went over to them, even with the looks Ron was giving me.

"Hey."

"Hey," Harry and Hermione greeted, a little more downcast than usual, but I can deal with that.

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked harshly. Harry just rolled his eyes, and Hermione glared daggers at him.

"Watch the tone Ronnie, or do I need to sic your brothers on you?"

"I can't believe they're still hanging around you," he muttered.

"They already knew. I told them first year." Ron looked shocked. "Now, I need to talk to Harry...alone." Ron looked at me incredulously, and Hermione looked a little hesitant.

"It's okay guys. I'll catch up later," Harry told them. Hermione nodded and tugged on Ron's robes, he was staring at Harry like he was mad or something, but Harry ignored him. "So, what's up?" he asked casually after Ron and Hermione were gone.

I smiled as I sat down by him. By not just spouting off accusations or insults at me, he reminded me a lot of his parents.

"I thought we should talk."

"About?"

"I think you know what about Harry." He nodded slightly.

"You said he didn't want to kill me," he pointed out. I nodded.

"Yeah, because he doesn't want to hurt you." Harry gave me a bewildered look.

"Then why is everyone else saying he does?" I sighed, this was going to be difficult without telling him everything.

"Because...Look, the war last time was bad, real bad. Things...happened. Stuff got out of hand, and no one knew who they could trust. A lot of people were playing both sides. People assumed my dad was one of them, because one of his friends that he trusted tricked him and made people believe it was my dad who was the traitor." I was surprised, but also very thankful, that Harry sat there and listened intently and didn't argue.

"What happened?" he asked quietly. I took a deep breath, and looked away for a second.

Oh, I wish I could tell you.

"It's complicated," I finally told him. He nodded, seeming to accept that. "I promise though, one day you'll find out." He smiled.

"Malfoy's just a git Alex, don't listen to what he says." I couldn't help but smile, Harry wasn't mad at me.

"I know. But I am sorry I didn't tell you before."

"Don't worry about it, I understand why you didn't."

"Thanks Harry. I'll see ya later." I got up to leave, ruffling his hair before I did.

"Hey!" He smacked my hand away, but was still chuckling.

-----

I wanted to tell Harry everything, even the things I couldn't bring myself to think about. It really REALLY sucked that I couldn't tell him. Though I understood why, he's not ready to hear and accept what I have to say. Right now I needed someone to talk to though, and there was only one other person who knew almost everything I did.

"Knock knock," I said as I entered Remus' office.

"Hey," he replied, looking up from his paper.

"Are we gonna talk about it, or are you gonna try to avoid me?" I asked bluntly as I sat down across from him.

"I'm not going to avoid you, but what is there to talk about?"

"Oh come on, just say it! Whatever it is you wanna say, just say it." He saw I wasn't going to give up and sighed.

"Lexi...I'm not saying Mr. Malfoy wasn't wrong, because he shouldn't have said those things to begin with, but...you have got to learn to control your temper," he told me firmly. "If you don't...you might very well prove him correct, and end up like your father."

"How? By trusting the wrong person?" I snapped, unable to stop myself.

Maybe I should work on controlling my temper a little...

"In case you haven't noticed Remus, I stopped trusting people a long time ago," I continued, a little calmer. "Trusting people gets you nothing but pain." And with that I stormed out of his office.

-----

"Alex!" Fred called as he and George caught up with me in the common room that evening.

I'd been trying to avoid pretty much everyone since my little spat with Remus. I'd realized I probably had been trusting people more than I should. I just needed to pull back a little, reset my mind, and then I'll be able to deal with everyone, without trusting them more than I should. But I also knew I wouldn't be able to explain that to Fred and George.

"We think we've got the perfect idea to get back at Malfoy, but we need your help in perfecting it," George told me excitedly.

"That's great guys, but I've got to go. Snape will be using me in one of his potions if I'm late." I quickly packed up my bag and left before they could argue, though I did see the baffled looks on their faces.

-----

After five hours of scrubbing cauldrons and listening to Snape bitch and try to put me down I was exhausted. I got back to the dormitory, and shrugged off my robes before taking a shower.

As I let the warm water run over me I couldn't help but wish it would just wash all of my problems away, but of course that's one wish that's never granted.

I stepped out of my sanctuary, drying off quickly, and pulled on my underwear and camisole top. Everyone else was already asleep. Angelina and Katie had gotten in some extra quidditch practice so they were beat. For some reason, although I was feeling down and disconnected from everything, I wasn't very tired. I walked over to the window and looked outside, the moon was just a sliver, but the light flickering across the lake was beautiful. I can't help it, but i just love the night.

I sighed and crawled into bed, praying to whatever God that's listening to keep my nightmares away so I can get one peaceful night of sleep.

-----

As I'd expected, the nightmare came anyway. It seems fate wasn't going to be giving me a break anytime soon. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I couldn't seem to get very much sleep anymore, I just kept getting woke up by the nightmares. To top that off, having everyone gossip about you more than usual isn't very fun either. It's one thing when they talk about how much of a slut I am, or something like that, but it's worse when it isn't just you they're talking about. I happen to be very protective of my family and friends, so it pisses me off to no end when people go after them too.

The other kids already know that me and Jason are different, and have different fathers, but that didn't stop them from talking about him too. Even though he's a Slytherin, and hardly anyone other than the other Slytherins picked on him, I knew this was eating him up. He was used to being the perfect student, perfect son, and perfect big brother. I was the mistake, the slut, and the troublemaker. Now because of me and my dad Jason had a better idea of how I felt, a feeling I tried my damnedest to keep him from having to deal with.

Our mother had indeed found out that the entire school knew I was Sirius Black's daughter. She had sent me a very condescending letter saying that she didn't care anymore, that if I was back to using my dad's name I wouldn't be dragging her through the mud with me. She'd also sent Jason a letter, apologizing for the fact that he had to go through this as well, but that hopefully people would realize quickly that he wasn't me.

A few days before the quidditch game, I'd finally had enough. Classes were bad enough, having to deal with everyone talking about me and my dad, but I couldn't take anymore of them talking about my brother.

"SHUT UP!" I shouted at Jeremy Gordon, one of Jason's roommates, who had been taunting Jason about how maybe he was helping my dad into the castle. The entire potions class froze, especially since my outburst had caused some potion bottles to explode. "WHY DON'T YOU PICK ANOTHER TOPIC! JASON DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY DAD SO LEAVE HIM ALONE! IF YOU WANNA GOSSIP, GOSSIP ABOUT ME, BUT LEAVE MY BROTHER OUT OF IT!"

Even Snape was too stunned to reprimand me, or stop me. I stormed out of the classroom, the door slamming shut could probably be heard all the way up in the astronomy tower.

I didn't know what to do now. I was still so pissed off. Sure, my brother is an ass, but he's still my brother. And being twins, even unconventional as we are, I knew how much everyone talking about him too was hurting him. I could handle it and hide my hurt, I was used to it, but Jason wasn't.

I found myself by the lake, kicking up grass and dirt just for something to do.

"Izzy..."

Great, what'd I do now? He not want me sticking up for him?

"What Jace?" I replied, not looking over at him.

"Thanks." I looked and saw the genuineness in his eyes and knew he really did mean it. I smiled.

"Anytime."

A/N: Well, I hope you liked this chapter! I'm not sure when I'll update again, but I have not abandoned this story, I'm just not focusing on it either. Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated!