Here's the next one, and this story is getting closer to the end even though we are only on Year 4.

Chapter 22

Last Time:

Everyone claps and Alex sees the adults there.

"Dad!" Alex runs to Dumbledore and hugs him then McGonagall.

"Great work kiddo" Dumbledore ruffles Alex's hair as she shakes her head.

"Ok guys. Time for bed" Molly orders. Everyone nods and leaves. Alex walks downstairs with Dumbledore, knowing there is a talk.

Now:

"Ok Ally. I need to ask you an important question" Dumbledore starts as Alex sits down next to him. She pulls her knees to her chest and leans against Dumbledore. Dumbledore wraps his right arm around her shoulders and gently rubs them. Molly, Arthur and McGonagall sits on the opposite couch watching the father/daughter moment silent.

"Ok. What is it?" Alex looks up at her father slightly nervous but hopeful.

"Would you like to keep going to Wiztech and quit?" Alex bites her lip roughly. Dumbledore gently takes her chin in his hand and stops the biting.

"If you keep doing that, you will bust your lip" Dumbledore teases but truthful. Alex raises her eyebrows and laughs lightly, "just say what's on your mind that way you can get answers" Alex nods and sighs.

"What about Max and Justin? Justin graduates in September next year and Max will be alone" Alex whispers. She closes her eyes and starts to bite her nails. Dumbledore sighs and hugs Alex closer to him.

"Alex, everything will end ok. You can still stop by to see them and just pop over there" Alex opens her eyes and sees Dumbledore smiling, "you will always have them part of your life" Alex nods with a small smile.

"Ok. I love you dad" Alex hugs Dumbledore tightly as Dumbledore hugs her back.

"I love you too Alex"

~H&A~

As Alex is sitting with Hagrid on the platform waiting for the train to arrive, they are talking about the news Dumbledore told all the adults and Alex, before telling the school.

"Do you know the 3 schools that will be coming?" Alex asks Hagrid.

"I know two for sure, but not the third" Alex nods and picks up a few rocks before throwing them on the train.

"What are they called?"

"Durmstang"

"The idiot school for males" Alex comments making Hagrid chuckle.

"And Beauxbatons"

"The girly girl school" Hagrid shakes his head laughing as the train arrives. Alex stands up on the bench and watches people climb off. She sees Hermione, Harry and Ron climb off the train and looks at the bench. The three grins and runs over to her. Harry pulls Alex off the bench and kisses her.

"Hey" Alex greets after breaking the kiss laughing.

"Hey" Harry smiles and hugs her tightly.

"I've been gone for 4 days and all of you freak out" Alex teases as Hermione and Ron hugs her tightly next. The group laughs and shakes their heads.

"We are best friends and can't live without each other" Alex nods in agreement of Ron's statement.

"Come on" Harry laces his and Alex's fingers together as the Golden Four walks up to the carriages and heads up to the school.

~A&H~

As they sit down together, Ron and Hermione on one side of the table backs against the windows and Harry and Alex on the other, backs to the door. Alex's back is to Harry's chest as they face Dumbledore. Alex knees are to her chest and her hands at holding Harry's right and left arms that are around her shoulders. Harry's legs are on both sides of the bench and his head is resting on top of Alex's.

"Ok it is not only our home this year, but is 3 other schools as well" Dumbledore tells the school, "please welcome... Durmstang and their headmaster Igor Karkaroff" the Durmstang walks in and Alex watches as they make a dramatic entrance.

"Oh my god! It's Victor Krum" this Krum guy looks at Alex and they lock eyes. Krum winks at Alex and she glares in return. Alex looks at Hermione who was watching the exchange take place laughing.

"What's so funny?" Alex asks Hermione. Ron and Harry looks at Hermione in amusement, chuckling on what went down between Krum and Alex.

"Krum winked at you and you just glared at him" Hermione laughs. Alex looks at her confused, "he's famous Alex" Alex ohhed and nods.

"He's an idiot" Alex mumbles and rolls her eyes. Hermione, Ron and Harry could tell by her tones of voice, that she is hiding something. Something from her past.

"Now, here's the next school. Beauxbatons and their headmistress Olympe Maxime" Alex groans as the 'girly girls' walks in.

"Wow, that's one tall woman" Alex hears Seamus say to Ron and Harry. The two guys nods and stares at the girls. Alex looks at Hermione and sees an evil grin on her face. Hermione elbows Ron hard in the side, breaking his staring. Alex does the same to Harry with a smile. Harry pulls down at Alex and sees her glare.

"I'm sorry" Harry whispers and hides his face in her neck. Alex smiles and kisses his cheek.

"It's ok. Just don't do it again" Harry nods and pulls Alex closer to him.

"Finally. Wiztech and their headmaster Alexander Crumbs" Alex gasps and turns to the door. She watches as Max and Justin walks through the door with Alex Russo, and Alex's other friends including: Felix.

"Max! Justin! Felix!" the three boys look at Alex and runs to her.

"ALEX!" Justin and Max hugs Alex then Felix pick Alex up and swings her around.

"How's my ragdoll?" Felix jokes and puts her on the ground laughing. Alex rolls her eyes with a grin.

"I'm good now that I can breathe again" Alex hugs Max and Justin once more until someone clears their throat. Alex looks over her shoulder and sees Russo, "Russo" Alex glares.

"Dumbledore" Russo glares back. Alex cracks her knuckles ready to punch her but Felix immediately pulls Alex back.

"Dumbledore" Alex looks to her right to see...

"Stevie" Alex gasps with her eyes wide. Alex gulps and bites her lip.

"How are you alive?" Stevie asks Alex curious. Alex shakes her head.

"You will not try to kill me again" Stevie shrugs her shoulders with a smirk.

"I am sure I will find a way" Stevie walks away and heads to the other Wiztech students. Alex looks at the front of the school to see Dumbledore's, Crumbs', McGonagall's and Hagrid's worried looks, including Snape's and the other teachers. Alex looks at Russo.

"You should head over to your school" Alex says just above a whisper. Russo bites her lip, not happy with Stevie. Sure, she doesn't like Alex that much, but she does respect her. Russo shakes her head and gives Alex a softer look. Felix, Justin and Max heads over to their school as Alex and Russo have a staring contest.

"I need to speak with you Dumbledore. Meet me at the lake at midnight tonight" Russo walks away without a final word. Alex sighs and sits back down.

Alex tunes out as Dumbledore says a few final words...

~H&A~

Midnight arrives, and Alex is sitting at the lake on the rocks. She hears footsteps behind her and the person sit down next to her.

"I didn't think you would come" Alex looks to her left to see Russo.

"Well I'm here" Alex mutters and looks out at the water.

"How was your summer?" Russo asks Alex gently.

"Why are you being nice?"

"Well, I decided after what Nichols said, I would be nice for now" Alex nods and bites her lip.

"It was ok. I spent it with friends and my second family" Russo nods.

"That's good" Russo sees tears fill Alex's eyes, "D... Alex, I know for a fact that your dad, that lady, the tall guy, your friends and my brothers will not let anything happen to you" Alex looks at Russo to see truth in her eyes.

"You don't normally show your emotions besides anger. Why did you always take it out on me and why is Stevie here?" Russo sighs and looks sadly at Alex.

"My parents died over the summer and now Max, Justin and I are living with our aunt Meagan in Paris, France. I will be back to normal once I move on in my life. As for why I took it out on you, is because you are famous at Wiztech because of your dad. You were so popular Alex, that I was jealous" Russo sighs and stares at Alex, "as for the final question, her parents got her back in and bribed Crumbs" Alex nods and looks at her feet. Russo sighs and takes a deep breath. She wraps her right arm around Alex's waist.

Alex looks up at Russo with a frown.

"You may think that I am friends with Nichols, but in reality, I'm not" Alex looks at her surprised, "you may not believe me when I say this, but I will make sure nothing happens to you. The only person that is allowed to pick on you is me. And I will never hurt you the way I did over the summer again"

"Was that the day your parents died?"

"Yes" Russo's eyes fills with tears and Alex hugs her, both forgetting that they dislike each other. Russo hugs her back in return.

"I'm sorry you lost your parents. I have no mom so I can relate, but I am lucky enough to have my dad, friends, and people who I grew up with" Russo nods and lets her tears fall; "I'm here for you" Russo smiles sadly and nods.

"You have me to protect you" Russo whispers, both lets their tears to fall for different reasons.

And that's the chapter. What do you think? Please review.

Oh, and my Uncle Neil has 2 days to live so I am depressed right now. : ' (