Alex's pov

Things at Hogwarts weren't so good. Especially not Umbridge.

I don't think her welcome to her new position was very warm. Especially from Fred and George. Harry told me that they set of enchanted fireworks, they attacked Umbridge and filch. I would have given anything to see that.

"You're late" snape said as Harry and I walked into his office. I really didn't want to go today. I was planning on not going but Edward seemed to understand the importance of coming to these lessons so he more or less kicked me into the house's chimney and sent me here. Along with the help of Frankie of course.

Neither Harry nor I responded. I had just been witness of a fight between him and cho and he was mad. Not a good way to start occlumency lessons.

"So" snape said after dropping the last of his memories into Dumbledore's pensieve. "Have you both been practicing?"

"Yes" Harry and I said in unison.

"We shall see, you" he said pointing to Harry. "Wand out"

I stepped aside as both of them got ready. Already I knew that this lesson would be a failure. Harry was too angry to pay attention.

Before we could stop though malfoy interrupted us, saying something about finding Montague inside a toilet.

Great our lessons are now omitted so I came here for nothing.

Snape left with malfoy to go help out. Harry was more mad now. Malfoy now thought Harry and I had remedial potions. Now he would surely make fun of us.

"Come on" I said leading the way out of snapes office. But I sensed Harry wasn't following. I turned to see Harry watching the pensieve curiously.

Instead of scolding my brother and telling him to get away from the pensieve I, unaware of it, gave in to that damn curse of curiosity set upon my brother and I. So that his curiosity became my curiosity.

I walked over to Harry and he looked up at me with a suggestive look.

What was the harm in taking a peek right?

Maybe it was something about the department of mysteries. Something that could help us solve our dream….

I don't think it will take long to look through them I told Harry as his mind opened up to me and I could hear his thoughts about how much time it would take snape to get down here.

True he agreed.

We walked closer to the table with the pensieve. Harry prodded the contents with his wand and they began to move very fast. After a moment of hesitation Harry signaled for me to go first.

Snape will have our head If he finds out about this I thought. But excitement ran through my veins. Or it could also be classified under recklessness both feelings seemed the same to me.

I held my breath and then sunk my head into snapes thoughts and memories. I was falling and everything around me was black and spinning.

Then I found myself in the great hall. Seconds later Harry was right next to me.

He looked around me and gave me a confused look.

"Their his thoughts" I said defensively.

We looked around. Instead of the four huge house tables there were many smaller ones in which one student per table sat. They were taking their O.W.L's.

I began searching for snape. Soon enough both Harry and I found him he was behind us. A younger snape was scribbling in his piece of parchment. He was skinny and very pale with lank greasy hair. I moved closer to him to see what he was writing. I was surprised to find the he was taking his defense against the dark arts O.W.L. Then he must be fifteen years old too.

"Five more minutes!" I recognized professor flitwicks voice.

I felt someone tug on my sleeve. I looked behind me to see Harry pulling on it but he wasn't looking at me. I followed his gaze and my eyes landed on a mop of untidy black hair. Untidy black hair the stuck up on the back of the head of the owner.

Unconsciously I walked toward my fifteen year old father. If I didn't know any better I would have thought he was my brother. They weren't kidding; Harry really did look like my dad, except the eyes. My dad's were hazel.

Harry seemed to share my excitement. My smile grew bigger when I saw my father yawn and disturb his hair with his hand. He turned and smiled at someone. I followed with my eyes and my happiness seemed get bigger. Sirius was sitting four seats away. He gave my dad a grin a thumbs up. Three seats behind him lupin was sitting looking over his parchment with a slight frown marking his face. Wormtail didn't go unnoticed. But my joy was too much to even be mad at that rat.

The time was up and all the students began to file out of the great hall. I was happy to know that snape didn't stray to far from my father. I wasn't ready to leave him and his friends. Harry and I followed excitedly and listened to their conversation as the walked to the school grounds.

They settled under the shade of a tree on the edge of the lake. The same tree under which cedric and I had spent countless of times playing around…

Snape had sat down on the grass in the shadows of a clump of bushes and was still examining and O.W.L paper. Harry and I sat down and observed the four friends. Lupin was reading some book while Sirius just stared around at the students looking bored. My father was playing with a snitch he nicked. With wormtail looking at my dad catch it in awe. I observed how my father repeatedly ran a hand through his hair and look at the girls by the waters edge.

He put away the snitch when Sirius told him to. Sirius made a comment about being bored and then something seemed to catch my father's attention.

Harry and I turned to see what they were staring at.

It was snape.

He was getting up putting the paper in his bag as he began walking my father and Sirius got up and walked over to him. Lupin and wormtail stayed behind. Wormtail was watching and lupin pretending to read.

Something told me no good was going to come out of this.

"All right, snivellus?" my father said loudly.

Snape attempted to take out his wand but my father already had his and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Snapes wand fell in the grass behind him.

Sirius laughed. "Impedimenta!" he said pointing his wand at snape and he was knocked off his feet.

"No" I whispered. Harry didn't hear he was too entranced in what was happening.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"How'd the exam go snivelly?" my father asked.

"I wasn't watching him; his nose was touching the parchment." Sirius said. "There'll be great grease marks all over it, the wont be able to read a word of it"

I heard people laugh. Why are they doing this?!

"you-wait" snape panted as he tried to get up with the jinx still operating on him. He spoke with that loathing voice I was used to hearing. "You- wait…"

"Wait for what?" Sirius said coolly. "What are you going to do snivelly, wipe your nose on us?"

Snape cursed and a stream of hexes followed out of his mouth. I couldn't blame him for that; I would have done the same no matter how useless it was.

"Wash your mouth" my dad said coldly. "Scourgify!"

Soap bubbles came out of snapes mouth choking him.

"Leave him ALONE!" I turned towards the voice and staggered back a bit. Then realized it was my mother I was looking at, not myself. I was like an exact copy of her. Except my hair, she had thick dark red hair that fell to her shoulders. Whereas my hair went just under my ear, was a bit redder than hers with strands of black and it was messily sticking out in every direction. No doubt inherited from my father whom I noticed had raised his free hand to run it through his hair again.

"All right Evans?" my father said with a tone more pleasant and deeper. He likes her and she seems to hate him…oh boy…

"Leave him alone" my mother repeated with an expression in her almond shaped eyes that showed evident dislike. "What's he done to you?"

"Well" my dad said, "it's more of the fact that he exists if you know what I mean"

Is this really my father I see?

"You think you're funny" she said coldly, "but you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, potter. Leave him alone"

"I will if you go out with me, evens," smooth dad. "Go on…go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old snivelly again."

"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid" she said.

"Bad luck prongs" Sirius said bringing my attention back to him and snape. "OY!"

Snape had gotten a hold of his wand and directed it at my father. There was a flash of light and a gash appeared on my dad's face. With another flash of light my dad had snape hanging upside down in the air. Revealing his legs and underwear.

God this was awful.

"Let him down!" my mom said.

"Certainly" with a jerk of my father's wand, snape fell to the grass but Sirius wouldn't let it go. "Locomotor mortis!" snape fell to the grass once more.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" she shouted again taking out her wand.

"Ah, evens don't make me hex you" my dad said.

He wouldn't do that would he?

"Take the curse off him, then!"

He sighed deeply then muttered the countercurse.

"There you go" he said. "You're lucky Evans was here, snivellus-"

"I don't need help from filthy little mudbloods like her!"

So this is one of the reasons I hate him.

"Fine" my mother said coolly. "I won't bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, snivellus" well he had it coming.

"Apologize to Evans" my father said furiously, pointing his wand at snape.

"I don't want you to make him apologize" she shouted to him. "You're as bad as he is…"

"What?" he yelped," I'd never call you a –you-know-what!"

"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can- I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it . You make me sick"

She turned and began to walk away.

"Evans!" my dad shouted. "Hey, EVANS!"

No response.

"What is it wit her?" he said trying to sound uninterested but failing miserably.

"Reading between the lines" Sirius said. "I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate"

"Right" my father said, looking mad. "right-"

With another flash of light snape was upside down again.

"Who wants to see me take off snivelly's pants"

Just then I felt a hand enclose my upper arm it hurt.

"Hey!" I said turning and expecting to see Harry holding me. But what I found was what would surely be the death of me. The adult snape was looking down on me and Harry, whom he also by the upper arm. His face was paper white and mad.

"Having fun?"

Everything around me dissolved as I felt myself rise to the air. Snape never let go of either of us. Then I felt my feet hit the floor of his office.

"So" snape said gripping our arms so tightly I thought they were going to fall off. "So…been enjoying yourselves huh?"

Harry spoke for me. I was too terrified to even open my mouth. I didn't think he would let us out of this office alive.

"n-no…" Harry stuttered, trying to free himself of snapes death grip.

I don't think either of us has ever been as scared of snape as we were now.

"Amusing man, your father, wasn't he?" snape said shaking both Harry and I. I winced in pain, but was determined to not let a sound escape my lips.

"We-didn't-"I began but snape pushed Harry with all his might. My brother fell hard on the floor.

I gasped and snape turned to me.

"You will not repeat what you saw to anybody!" snape bellowed at both Harry and me.

"No" Harry said. Moving towards snape and I to get to me. "No of course I w-"

Snape let go of me with such force that I stumbled back and collided with a shelf on the wall a jar fell beside me and I cut my hand.

"Get out, get out, I don't want to see neither of you in this office ever again"

Harry helped me up quickly and we almost ran to the door out. Just as we were leaving a jar exploded over Harry's head. Once out we ran all the way up three floors. When we stopped I slid down a wall catching breath and cradling my cut hand.

"I think" I said in between breaths. "That we are lucky to have made it out alive" I was sweating like mad.

"Yeah" he responded just as breathless as I. "are you alright?"

"No" I gasped and held up my hand for him to see.

"Right. Wanna go to the hospital wing?" he panted.

"Yeah" I couldn't go like that home. The gash was pretty big and it stung a lot.

Twenty minutes later madam pomfrey had removed the shards of glass and put something on it that stung badly. Then she bandaged it and said in two days it would be nothing more than a scar. Great now I have to explain to Frankie and most likely Edward too, how I got cut so badly.

Harry and I walked around the grounds for a bit.

"He didn't do anything to him" I whispered. "He was just there and he humiliated him" I didn't think my father could have been the type of person. I had always been proud of him. But know it was like my image of him was horribly tainted.

"I know" was all Harry could say. He and I knew very well what it was like to be in snapes place. And to think that our father had been one of those people that just picked on people because they felt like it was horrible.

People always said he was a great man. Had they all lied to us?

With a pang I realized that snape was right, my dad was as arrogant as snape had painted him to be.

"It's time for me to go" I said quietly as I looked up the darkening sky.

Harry raised his green eyes to meet mines.

"Are you all right?" he asked concerned.

"Nothing more than a cut and a bruise Harry" I assured him, but that wasn't what he was talking about. I sighed in defeat when he continued to stare.

"No not really, I'm just as confused and hurt as you are. But there's not much I can do"

"I suppose your right" he said. "Come on I'll walk you to McGonagall's office."

"Kay" I said. He took my bandaged hand in his gently and we walked together back into the castle.

"How are things over at forks?" he asked as we walked through the corridors.

"Good actually not much to tell"

"You and Edward?" he asked.

"Other than his hunting trips and my coming here, we are inseparable" I said with a smile.

He smiled in content to. "How often does he go hunting?"

"He goes for a whole weekend twice a month every time I come here for the weekends. And three times a week, always at night though."

Out of all of the Cullen's he was the one hunting more frequently. He refused to take any chances with me. When he said this all I could do was roll my eyes at him.

"When are you putting that brilliant plan of yours into action?" he asked. I groaned. Leave it to Harry to remind me of something like that.

"I thought Hermione was the nagging one?" I asked.

"I'm just wondering" he defended. "No pressure"

"I think it's too soon." I explained. I had thought about this for a long time. "Maybe in a year" I said.

"You're forgetting that he most likely won't say yes the first time it will take a lot of persuasion and probably a lot of time."

"You know what I will know when the time is right. For now I don't want to think about it"

"Don't you think he'll notice you're not menstruating?"

"Bloody hell Harry!" I stopped on my tracks horrified. "How the hell do you know that?"

He thought about it for a few seconds then shuttered.

"I honestly don't know" he said shuttering once more in disgust. "But stick to the point. You're going to be what, sixteen, seventeen and your not menstruating that's a bit odd don't you think?"

I never really thought of that. You'd think it would be weird to talk about my brother about that but hell we were the only family we had as we grew up and that bounded us really, really, tightly.

"Yeah…I don't know Harry obviously I need to think about this some more" I said. "To tell you the truth I haven't dwelled on that too much. I will just as soon as all of this is over. All the O.W.L's madness. On the bright side we don't have to worry about occlumency anymore"

"True"

We stopped outside McGonagall's office.

"See you mate" I said hugging him. He hugged me back tightly. "I want to believe that he had a very good reason for what he did" I whispered into his ear. "But even if there isn't, I think deep down he was still a Good man"

"Yeah, it still bother's me though" he said.

"Me too" I pulled back and kissed his cheek. "Love you"

"Me too" he said smiling. "Say hi to Frankie and Edward for me"

"I still want you to meet him" I said.

"Me too" he said sincerely.

"See you then" I said turning to walk into McGonagall's office.

I stumbled out of the fireplace as I dusted myself off.

"Welcome home" said a voice like velvet. Then he enveloped me into his warm embrace that I could just melt into.

"Mhhhm" I said inhaling his sweet aroma. It clouded my thoughts and left me dazed for a bit.

Of course his sharp eyes ruined my peace.

"What happened to you hand?" he murmured in concern.

"I had an accident in the common room. I fell and broke a jar I was holding then I went and put my hand on the glass on accident." I lied smoothly. It would be a shame if I had lied so much in my life and I sucked at it.

"Let me see" he said pulling away.

"Its fine Edward, I went to the hospital wing and got it all fixed it's healing now"

He took my bandaged hand into his gently and kissed it.

"Harry say's hi" I said making him look back up at me. His actions where much more than what I truly deserved and I felt bad for lying to him.

"Mhhhm" he murmured. "I really want to meet him you know." How did he manage to make his voice smolder like that?

"I know, he does too." I said with a smile.

"You hungry Alex?" I heard Frankie ask, he came out of the kitchen holding a big spoon.

"Yeah sure" I said taking Edward hand in mines. "What are you making?"

"I'm keeping it simple, just some soup"

"Perfect, you need help?"

"I'm done, come on you two. And while were at it you can explain what happened to your hand"
yes I knew it would be impossible to hide it from them.

Frankie just shook his head and laughed as I recounted my made up story.

"So how did your occlumency lesson go?" asked Edward as he watched me eat.

"Uhm" I hated lying to him, he didn't deserve it. But if I told the truth he would be nagging me and telling me to go back and tell snape that the lessons must continue.

"No progress whatsoever." I said in a bored tone.

He frowned "how can Harry find it so hard when you already got the hang of it?"

"I haven't been doing well either lately." I defended Harry, it was true every time I had class I found I was doing worse than the last time. "It's getting harder to block snape"

"Are you clearing your mind every night?" Frankie asked in between spoonfuls of soup.

"That's hard too" I said and Edward and Frankie gave me a disapproving look.

"But I'm trying" I amended with a smile.

"Do you want to go to my house tomorrow?" Edward asked as he stroked my hair that same night. We were in my room under the covers. He had an arm wrapped around my waist and the other hand was stroking my hair lovingly. It felt so comforting.

"Yeah I haven't gone in a long time" I said already looking forward to the visit.

"I know esme misses you" he said with a smile in his voice. I turned around to face him.

"I miss them too… how was you day today Mr. Cullen" I asked in a formal tone.

He shrugged. "It would have been much better with you with me Ms. Potter"

I smiled at him. I was selfish for thinking this but I liked it went he said that he needed me. It didn't bother me because I knew that I would always be there for him.

Edward's pov

She was more than what I could ever have asked for, more than what I deserved.

I was well aware that I wasn't good enough for her, but when I was with her I for got all of that. I was content as long as she was happy.

We had easily fallen into a pleasant routine and I felt like I really had a life now. Despite her strong scent I was happy to find that I was stronger too. Her scent didn't result as uncomfortable as it used to be (though I hunted regularly now). I could be next to her without a problem at all. I was on my guard however; whenever our kissing got too carried away her scent came back as strong as ever. I never let it go that far anymore.

Everyday after school we would hurry up and finish homework and then I would help her study for her O.W.L's. I watched with amusement as she became frustrated when she couldn't remember something.

She in turn was always making sure that I was alright with helping her. Making sure I was content, though I constantly told her that all I needed was her to be happy.

The next day I picked her up from her house early and took her to my house where esme was cooking breakfast for her.

The day was nice so I couldn't really take her anywhere else for breakfast. Which was just fine with her, or so she said.

"You know I could have just had breakfast at my house" she said pleasantly as she looked out the window. The cool air hit her cheeks turning them slightly pink as well as her nose. She was like a perfected porcelain doll.

I took her hand in mines and pressed it to my cheek then kissed it.

"You need to eat something other than cereal everyday love" I said chuckling.

"I just don't want esme to go through any trouble-"

I snorted at that. Esme was ecstatic to be able to use her kitchen. "Trust me esme is more than happy to be cooking"

I just hoped she hadn't gotten too excited and made a banquet. Alex had a small stomach.

I parked my car in the garage and went to her side of the car before she could get out. I opened the door for her and helped her out of the car. Then I led her out of the garage and into the house, never letting go of her warm hand. I was glad to know that to her I didn't feel cold. I could hold her to me in the coldest of nights and keep her warmer than a blanket. Something I would have never been capable of with Bella.

Esme obviously heard us arrive she was already setting a plate on the table for Alex.

I didn't go overboard with this Edward I know she doesn't eat much esme said happily. And I smiled, my mother was observant.

She glided out of the kitchen with a warm smile and embraced Alex in a loving hug.

Every time I saw this type of exchange between Alex and my family I exploded with happiness inside. Feelings like these would never go away, and I didn't want them to either.

"You have been gone for much too long Alex. I missed you" said esme looking over Alex, content to see that she looked healthier than the last time she had seen her.

Alex had slowly been gaining more weight. She was still skinny but she looked healthier. Her skin was still pale but it was a healthy pale, and the bags under her eyes were gone so that there was nothing more but mere shadows under he eyes. She was the girl I had seen in the pictures again. And I only seemed to fall more in love with this new Alex.

"I know esme, and I'm sorry; I will most definitely visit more often. I missed you and Carlisle too" she said with a beautiful crooked smile that never failed to leave me breathless.

"I made you breakfast" esme said happily and took her hand and guided her to the kitchen. I followed quietly behind them.

"You shouldn't have esme" Alex said sounding slightly embarrassed.

"Nonsense I was more than happy to do so. I haven't cooked in the longest" she said laughing lightly. The last time she cooked, Bella was still alive….

I shook my head free of those thoughts. It was all in the past now.

Alex seemed to like the breakfast for which I was grateful. I wasn't sure how good it would be seeing as how it didn't smell too good to us.

"How is Frankie?" asked esme. She and Carlisle had met Frankie and Sirius. Not long ago and they got along very well. Carlisle had so many questions to him about their world he was delighted to learn more about witches and wizards.

"He's good" Alex said after swallowing her food. "I told him I would be here early and he went over to have breakfast with my Sirius."

"Tell them I said hi" esme said.

"I will, by the way the food is amazing"

"I'm glad you liked it" esme beamed.

"Hello Alex!" Alice said running into the room and hugging her.

"How's it going Alice?" Alex said. She was now finished eating and esme got up and took her plate. Alex didn't notice as she was already in deep conversation with Alice.

I excused myself from the kitchen and walked over to the living room where my old piano was at. I hadn't used it since…

I hadn't used it since a hundred years ago. Surely it was out of tune. I spent the next 30 minutes tuning it and listening to the beautiful voice coming from the kitchen.

Once I was done I sat on the bench. I had no clue on what to play. No piece seemed adequate.

After Bella died I remember I would sit here without moving just staring at the ivory keys and remembering the countless times we had both sat on this very same bench, as she listened to me play for her. I hadn't played he lullaby in so long. But I didn't want to either. That song was only for her and never to be touched again.

I don't know how long I sat there staring at the keys. I never even noticed that Alice and Alex had stopped talking.

Soft hands brought me back to sweet reality. As I felt Alex's arms slowly wrap around my neck and I felt her kiss the back of my neck all of those sad memories left me. Only to be replaced by the miracle that was Alex.

"I do recall you telling me you played piano" she murmured in my ear. Her voice was like nothing I had ever heard before. Far better than a symphony playing in perfect synchronization.

I took one of her hands and kissed it lightly, running my lips on the soft skin of her wrist and taking in the sweet scent. I could feel her blood running through her veins as I pressed my lips to her wrist and kissed it as well.

"Would you like me to teach you?" I murmured against her wrist.

"Why not" she said unwinding her arms from around my neck and sitting on the bench next to me. I wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned over to kiss her lips lightly.

"I missed you" I said sounding breathless.

"Hmm I did too" she said against my lips I felt a smile form there. This woman drove me crazy like no other woman ever could.

She pulled back and examined the ivory keys. She reached over and pressed on each of them several times listening to the notes.

"Ever played piano?" I asked her. She shook her head and dazzled me with a brilliant smile.

"But it shouldn't be hard. It's all in knowing the notes" she said confidently. I gestured for her to proceed.

She began to press on random keys making sounds that didn't go together.

She pursed her lips, a small frown coloring her face. I was about to help her when I saw her expression soften into a small smile and I heard the random notes slowly weave together to create a beautiful melody.

To say I was awed was an understatement. Obviously she was improvising she was looking at keys very concentrated on what she was doing so that it was obvious that this was the first time she played the piano. Even so for her to be creating such a complicated song when she hadn't even been helped seemed utterly impossible. Yet here she sat creating the most beautiful melody I had ever heard.

She glanced up at me and she gave another heart warming smile that encouraged me to join her. I suddenly knew what to play. As my hands danced along with hers on the keys she became the melody and I the harmony.

Our hands slowed down as we felt the song come to an end. It was like we were slowly descending from the cloud we had been in while our hands seemed to work magic on the piano.

I stopped playing and Alex played the very last notes with a pleasantly relaxed smiled. As she hit the last not I heard soft applause come from behind us.

Beautiful thought esme.

"That was beautiful Alex and Edward" said Carlisle, we both turned to face Carlisle and esme. Everyone was there with huge smiles. Even Rosalie and jasper were managing to smile.

"Thank you Carlisle" she said rising from her seat and gracefully walking over to hug Carlisle. He hugged her back with as much warmth as esme had when she hugged Alex. I got up as well.

"So that was the first time you played piano?" he asked as I walked over and wrapped an arm around Alex's waist.

"Yes sir" she said.

I heard Emmett whistle. "You picked a talented one Eddie"

I grimaced at the name. "I know Emmett" I said

They all chuckled and Emmett and rose and jasper walked over to greet Alex. Jasper no longer worried me; time was all he had needed to get used to our lifestyle. And the past hundred years he certainly had gotten better at it.

Later that day Frankie and Sirius joined the get together. The day couldn't get any better. We had an amazing time and I felt complete. My family was here along with the girl that gave my life meaning and the newest members to our family. Because that is what they were now. They were family.

Alex's pov

Sirius, Frankie, and I said goodbye to the Cullen's. It had been a wonderful day but just like all the good it things, it had to come to an end.

"Will I see you tonight?" I asked as Edward kissed me goodbye.

"Of course" he said smiling. "As soon as you go to bed I'll be there"

I gave a content nod, and then ran towards Frankie's black Honda. The nice weather was gone only to be replaced by heavy rain.

"Did you have fun Alex" Sirius asked from the passenger seat. I was sitting in the back looking at the rain.

"Loads. I'm glad you came" I said. Surprisingly I hadn't thought about what I saw yesterday in the pensieve. I wanted to ask Sirius but I didn't want to ruin the happy mood. So I decided I would ask him some other time.

"I am too I needed to get out of that house" he said jokingly but I knew that beneath the joke he meant it. That house was suffocating him.

He resumed his conversation with Frankie and I resumed my marveling at the beauty of the rain.

The Easter holidays came and I was shocked to find that there we were six weeks away from O.W.L's exams.

"I just can't believe it's coming so fast" I said to Edward.

It was another rare sunny day. Edward and I were sitting on my bed as the sun warmed us. I couldn't get over how mesmerizing he looked in the sun. The way his skin sparkled it was incredible.

He was helping me study on history of magic. This was the one subject he could really help me with. He learned lots of things as he helped me and he seemed to like it.

"Time is going by so fast" I murmured as I took a bite out of the chocolate egg Mrs. Weasley had sent me. I knew that time going by so fast had a great deal to do with Edward. I lost track of time when I was with him.

"It is" Edward agreed. He looked up from the textbook he was reading to look at me. "Nervous?" he asked

"Of what?"

"Your exams"

I thought about that. "Yes" I said truthfully.

"If you keep up the studying you'll do a great job" he comforted me.

"You know you're the only reason I haven't lost my mind yet" I said casually.

"Just glad to be of use" he chuckled.

We continued the studying session for two more hours.

With the end of the holidays at Hogwarts they announced career advice for the fifth years. We had to make an appointment to meet with the head of our houses to discuss career options.

"Anything in mind?" Edward said as we walked hand in hand to the lunch line.

"Actually yeah…I've been thinking about it since last year. I want to be an auror" I said in a low voice. Both Harry and I shared the same dream.

"You sure?" he asked skeptically.

"Yeah and I have a great advantage due to my being a metamorphmagi" I said with a smile. It seemed like all I did lately was smile. I couldn't help it, Edward made me feel happy.

He didn't say anything. He didn't fancy the idea of me taking part in something like that. He most likely thought it was too dangerous.

My meeting with McGonagall had been monitored by Umbridge, much to my dislike. Harry however had already told me that she was probably going to be there. Then he told me how she was there for his meeting and McGonagall and Umbridge had ended up arguing when Umbridge said Harry had no chance of becoming an auror.

I could feel the tense mood in McGonagall's office. The only time Umbridge interrupted however was to point out that my criminal record was just as bad as Harry's and it would be difficult for me to get a career in that field. McGonagall paid no attention to that.

A few days later Sirius visited and I couldn't take it anymore. I had been wanting to talk to him about what I saw in the pensieve.

"Sirius can I talk to you privately?" I asked. Edward and Frankie gave me a wondering look.

"Yeah sure" he said getting up off the couch. He led me to the kitchen then he turned to look at me. Waiting for me to get on with it.

"I wan to talk to you about something I saw about my dad" I began.

Sirius gave me a sad smile. "Yes Harry wanted to talk about that too"

"Ha-wait what? You talked to Harry? How?"

"I'm guessing he snuck into umbridge's office to talk to me"

"How did he manage?"

"Well I found out that Fred and George made a scene that very same day then they left on their brooms" he said chuckling.

I couldn't help but laugh too. "I'm not surprised. The times I've talked to them they seem to be more bored with the school. What exactly did you mean by causing a scene?"

"Installed a portable swamp in one of the schools hallways. It's seems like its still there. Umbridge doesn't know how to get rid of it."

"You're better informed than I" I said.

"Yeah well Fred and George told me."

"Oh" then I remembered what I wanted to talk about with him. "Why did he do that?"

Sirius sighed heavily and sat down on one of the chairs. I sat on a countertop.

"Like I explained to Harry, Alex, we were young idiotic kids."

"Harry and I are the same age you guy's were then but we don't go around hexing people just for the fun of it."

"Yes. It's not something were really proud of but it's something we grew out of as the time passed. Your father was a good man melody"

It gave me some comfort to hear that.

"My mom hated him" I muttered looking down at my hands.

"It's incredible how alike you are to your brother. He asked the very same questions as you are asking"

I looked up at him wanting an answer.

"She didn't hate him. She was annoyed by him. After all he was immature, he calmed down in his seventh year though. That's when they began to go out. As for snape…well they never like each other to begin with. It's like hate at first sight, like what you and Harry have against that malfoy kid"

I thought about that.

"Alex, don't let the image you have of your father be tainted by what you saw in the pensieve. He was young and when people are young they do stupid things. Some bigger than others but we all make stupid mistakes. Even you have made them"

I couldn't argue with that. It was true, I probably judged my dad to hard. What he did wasn't right but he was young and we are not all that same at that age.

"Your right" I said. I felt that weight I had lift off my shoulders.

"Now about those occlumency lesson young lady-"

"Sirius I'm not going back to ask him to give me lessons again if that's what you're thinking"

"Okay it's time for us to step in" said Frankie walking into the kitchen, followed by Edward who didn't look remotely happy.

"What's going on Alex?" he asked standing by me.

I shot Sirius a dirty look. "It's not like he wasn't going to read my mind anyways" he defended.

"Why aren't you getting occlumency lessons anymore Alex"

I sighed and told them what had happened. I just didn't tell them what I had seen in the pensieve. Luckily they didn't ask.

"I told Harry that he has to go and tell snape to continue the lessons but knowing your brother he probably wont so next time you go you have to tell snape to continue. Do you understand melody?" said Sirius in a voice full of authority.

"Yes Sirius" I said bored and rolling my eyes.

"Melody listen to him. It is important that you continue with these lessons. You can't on any account stop these lessons. Sis you not hear what-"

"I get it Frankie!" I said annoyed. Edward put a hand on my knee trying to calm me down. "Yes its important yes Dumbledore told us to keep practicing. I get it okay no need to nag me about it. God"

I slid off the counter and made to leave to my room.

"Goodnight" I muttered and walked away to my room.

They were crazy if they thought I was going back to that office. That would be like going to mock death.

I slammed the door harder than necessary and kicked off my shoes and got in under my bed covers not bothering to change.

I was on no account going back to that place ever again.

"Should I be worried that you lied to me" Edward spoke in a quiet voice. I just felt worse about lying to him.

I didn't answer just hoping that he would think I was asleep.

I felt the covers around me being pulled and I held on to them harder. He was stronger so he pulled them away from me. So that I was left looking at his hurt expression.

"I watch you sleep every night Alex don't you think that I would know if you were asleep or not?"

"I can always hope" I said turning away. I didn't want to have to see his disappointed expression.

"I'm sorry" I whispered.

Edward was facing me in a flash. Holding me close to him.

"I know why you did it Alex but I want you to trust me. I want us to trust each other. It would really mean a lot to me Alex"

God Edward what would you do if I told you about me?

Maybe the reason why I didn't want to tell him was because I really did want to be like him. It would make things so much easier for us. And if I was to tell Edward what I was then he would definitely not turn me into a vampire. He would argue by saying that I was immortal already so there was no need to turn me to a complete vampire.

Being immortal wasn't enough for me. I wanted him to kiss me without hurting; I wanted him to hug me without being afraid of hurting me. I want to be his equal. But I knew with Edward that would be too much to ask for. That's why it was best to not tell him what I was, more in my favor. I would convince him. I knew it.

"I know Edward, I'm sorry" I hugged him back pulling myself closer to him. That's all I could manage to say. I couldn't tell him that I wouldn't do it again because I knew that I would. I couldn't make any promises because I would surely break them. But what if he made me promise?

Then I would have to break many promises.

"What else have you lied to me about Alex?" he murmured.

"Nothing else Edward. I've been truthful with you" I lied.

To tell him about the cut in my hand was just asking for trouble so I figured it was best not to say anything about that.

"You sure?"

I was quiet for a second "I promise" I said feeling like shit.

I kissed his jaw and he looked down at me.

"No more lies okay?" he said

"I promise"

He smiled and kissed me. But he ended it too soon. I didn't want it to be like this for eternity, I knew what I wanted. And I was going to convince him.

"Edward do you have my history of magic book?" I asked as I packed my trunk with everything I would need for the next two weeks. It was Friday night and I was about to leave for Hogwarts. Our O.W.L's were starting on Monday and would be going on for two weeks.

He handed the book quietly to me. He hadn't been particularly happy that I was going to leave for so long. And truth be told neither was I. but we knew this was coming for a while.

I put it in my book bag which was now officially full. Then I went around putting in my trunk any quills or ink bottles I found.

"Okay" I said putting my hands on my hips and looking around the room. It was just as clean as the first time I saw it. "I think that's all I'm going to need"

Edward nodded silently. I went over to my bed where he was sitting and I put a hand on either side of him. My face leveled with his then I leaned in to kiss him. He met me halfway there putting his hands on either side of my cheeks and closing the distance between us. As my tongue traced his lips he pulled back.

"Go change" he whispered breathlessly.

I took my uniform which was next to him and walked into the bathroom.

This was the first time I stayed at Hogwarts for longer than three days this year. I wasn't nervous; I knew that the memories would only bring happiness to me. Happiness of what used to be, I'd be okay. I knew it.

I walked out of the bathroom fixing my robes. My trunk was gone; Frankie must already have sent it to Hogwarts. I held out my hand for Edward to take. Instead he took me into his arms and carried me down to the living room.

He set me down on the floor but instead of letting go he hugged me.

"Cheer up. I'll make sure to write to you all right?" I said.

"Okay" he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "God I'm going to miss you like you can't imagine"

"I am too but hey you need to have some space so you don't grow tired of me" I joked.

"You must have lost your mind if you think I would ever grow tired of you" he said.

"I'm just saying"

He pulled me in for a final kiss before I left. He said everything that needed to be said in that one kiss.

"I'll see you in two weeks" he whispered against my lips. His breath leaving me completely confused.

"Oh right…two weeks-yeah" I said after a while. He laughed.

"Bye Frankie" I said going over to hug him.

"See you in two weeks" he said hugging me.

"Yes you will" I said grinning.

Edward helped me into the fireplace where the fire was already burning.

"Good luck on your exams" he whispered.

"Thanks"

I had one more glance at his sad expression before I left

Dear Edward,

I already miss you and it's barely Monday. Damn I don't think the air has ever felt this tense in Hogwarts before. We are all doing last minute studying I'm nervous my first exam is for charms I hope everything goes by fine. Then tomorrow I have transfiguration tomorrow and herbology Wednesday, Wish me luck.

I love you

Alex.

Charms went by smoothly thankfully. I was sure that I did a very good job on both the written exam and the practical one. The same could be said for transfiguration and herbology.

Dear Alex,

I'm sure you did fine on all of the exams you've been studying nonstop. I miss you too I think I'm driving my family crazy with my crazy mood swings. It will all be better when you're back. What are the next exams?

Everyone here says hi and they wish you good luck. They all miss you too of course.

Love you and cant wait for you to be back in my arms.

Edward.

Dear Edward,

I'm pretty sure I did well so far. I had defense against the dark arts today and I am almost positive I got an "outstanding" O.W.L! I did very well for the practical exam too. The examiner seemed delighted, Harry had the same luck and they asked us both to do a patronus charm for an extra point! I don't think Umbridge was too happy. I don't have any testing tomorrow on Monday I have potions and Tuesday is care of magical creatures. I don't think I'll have many problems with those. We'll see, Hermione doesn't seem in a good mood. She is sure she did very badly, though I can't see that happening, still we try not to push her buttons. I miss all of you guys too tell them all I said his and I miss them too. Have to go Hermione is giving me a look that says get 'get back to studying!'

Love you,

Alex.

I didn't do so badly in any of them. Not even potions for which I was grateful. I know I did very well in care of magical creatures. It wasn't really a hard class. I knew hagrid was anxious I knew he'd be proud of me if he had seen my exam.

Dear Alex,

Glad to hear you did well on them I can only imagine how anxious you are right now. I know you did well on everything so far don't worry love. Frankie seems to be growing tired of being our personal messenger, oh well I think he will have to endure it. Emmett dragged me out of the house to go hunting and I got my fair share of mountain lions. You're letters are bring relief to me. I hate it that Alice can't see your future. It makes me anxious, but I trust you are well.

Missing you,

Edward.

Dear Edward,

I did well on everything so far, except divination. But that's okay I always knew I wasn't going to do well on that one. I take pride in knowing that Harry and Ron didn't do any better at least I'm not alone on that one, and I can drop that class next year! The examiner wasn't too happy when I predicted the he was going to get beheaded, I just hope it isn't true. Harry read the lines in his examiners hand wrong and told her that she should have died last Tuesday. I was laughing my head off at that. And Ron said that he could see in his crystal ball an ugly man with a wart on his nose….when he looked up he saw the same man…it was his examiner. I have my astronomy exam tonight at eleven pm… should go well…love you so much!

Alex.

Dear Alex,

You have no idea of how much everyone laughed when they heard bout your divination exam. Especially Emmett, I'm sorry to hear you didn't do so well, but like you said at least you get to drop the class next year. I'm interested to know how you did in astronomy; I know that one was a bit difficult for you but I trust you will do just fine. Watch out when you come home Emmett will be bothering you about your divination exam, there's no stopping him.

Love you,

Edward

Dear Edward

The expected has happened. Oh god it was horrible, they tried to sack hagrid in the middle of the night! Harry Ron Hermione and I saw it all from the astronomy tower. They attacked him and tried to stun him. I've never seen hagrid so enraged. He knocked everyone except on of the attacker and Umbridge! Unfortunately McGonagall had four stunners straight to the chest. I'm worried, it could have been deadly. Thankfully hagrid ran away I just hope he is alright. I don't think I did so well in the exam after that but everyone is talking about that incident. I really can't figure out the best death for that woman, nothing seems like a good enough punishment for Umbridge! I know she won't come back next year I just know it. I'm almost done; my last exam is tomorrow in the afternoon.

Hope everything goes alright.

Alex.

I did some last minute studying for history of magic, or I tried. I didn't sleep through the whole night and neither did Harry. At two o'clock we all went into the great hall to take the exam. I was nervous; I was so tired I was sure that I was going to forget many things. I sat next to Harry and we were told to begin.

I turned over my paper and looked at it for a long time. I shook my head clear of whatever I was thinking and began to write down and answer. I forgot some things but thankfully it wasn't much. I smiled at myself when I read one of the questions.

What was the dispute between vampires and wizards and what was the outcome of the war? Be specific

It would be a shame for me to not know that.

I came across a difficult question and I began to look around the room as If I might find the answer written on one of the walls or something. I sighed loudly and let my head fall on the desk with a big thump that hurt my forehead. I squeezed my eyes shut in concentration. But as I thought more about the question the more my mind got out of focus.

Harry and were walking down the corridor of the department of mysteries. It was time, this time I was positive we were going to pass. The black door opened and there was a circular room….good but there are so many doors…..okay through the second door… keep walking…..

Okay Harry now through the third door…hurry…we have to hurry. I began to jog. Okay we were in the room with the shelves with the glass spheres….good we were close….close to what?....keep jogging…number ninety-seven…turn left…okay good…along the aisle between the two rows…almost there Harry…were almost there…who's that?

Harry what's that shape on the floor? Harry it's moving…oh no…

"Take it for me…" Harry and I said at the same time, with the same cold inhuman voice. " lift it down, now…I cannot touch it…but you can…"

What's going on?

The black figure moved and I raised what I thought to be my own arm with my own wand. But this isn't my arm….it's much too white….and that isn't my wand…

"Crucio!"

The man on the floor screamed in agony. He tried to stand up but he fell writhing in pain. Harry and I laughed. But I couldn't see Harry anymore and he couldn't see me…

I lifted the unknown arm and the curse lifted. The man was motionless.

"Lord Voldemort is waiting…"

What? What am I doing?!

The man slowly raised his head. How dare he try to defy me!

"You will have to kill me" Sirius whispered. I will…I will…

"Undoubtedly I shall in the end" I said in that cold voice that gave me chills. "But you will fetch I for me first, black…you think you have felt pain thus far? Think again….we have hours ahead of us and nobody to hear you scream…" I screamed as I lowered the wand…as voldemort lowered the wand…I was glad to hear it was my own voice screaming.

My scar…my scar! It's on fire!

I fell to the ground screaming, I wasn't the only one… I could hear my brothers screams some distance from me. Feeling the same pain as me.

I opened my eyes in alarm. Everyone was looking either at Harry or me. And professor tofty was helping Harry up. Harry had a wild and frantic expression that I'm sure mirrored mines.

Shaking I scrambled to my feet and followed Harry and the professor out of the room. I listened to Harry's protests silently. We had to leave; we couldn't stay in the great hall, not now.

"You two stay here" said the professor with a sympathetic smile. "Get some time to calm down and come back into the great hall. It's just the pressure of the examinations."

"Uh no" I said shakily. Harry looked at me. "I think we've both done as much as we could"

The professor looked at Harry and hurry nodded agreeing with me.

"Very well, very well" the professor said gently. "I will go and collect your exams and you two just go and lie down."

"Yeah" Harry said nodding too much. "Thank you"

I waited for the professor to go back into the great hall before I took hold of Harry hand and ran with him over the threshold into the great hall, running up the many staircases.

"Come on we need to speak to McGonagall," I said in a steady voice. We ran up to the hospital wing. We burst in causing madam pomfrey alarm.

"Where's professor McGonagall?" Harry asked ignoring madam pomfrey's question.

I almost lost my mind when she told us that she had been transferred to st. mungos this morning. Where was the order when we needed them?! My heart was beating frantically against my chest terror was overpowering me and I didn't know what to do.

The bell rang and I heard students walking out of classrooms. I tugged on Harry's hand and muttered incoherently that we should go. My chest hurt badly and I wanted to throw up.

Harry led me out of the hospital wing and I followed blindly. I didn't know what was happening. But the panic seemed to sprout from my heart and extend to every corner of my body.

We have to talk to Ron and Hermione. Harry thought. I only nodded in agreement. I was vaguely aware that we were running once more finally we found them.

"What happened?" Hermione asked when she caught up to us. "Are you both all right? What's wrong with Alex?"

I blinked twice and recollected myself, trying to think coherently.

"Where have you two been?" Ron demanded.

We all went into an empty classroom. And there Harry told him what we had seen.

Harry made one thing clear to them. He and I were both going to the department of mysteries no matter what. I didn't care how risky this was but I had to go.

i love the rain. not only has it kept me from having p.e as i should be doing right now but it has also allowed me to update

dont know when i'll put up the net chapter but i'm already writing it

thank you so much to katrina for the review she sent me, i loved it thank you so much and i'm glad you are liking the story

and thank you so much for all the others who reviewed the last chapter

if you are really liking my story dont forget to vote for it in the sparkle awards

-airali