~Everything's Not What It Seems~
Alex and Justin are siblings sent to Hogwarts to learn about magic just like their father. There they meet new friends, fall in love, and find out that truly everything is not what it seems.
Disclaimer: J.K Rowling and Disney Channel own the right to all these character. I am only borrowing them :)
"Alex! For the last time, come down for supper!" Remus called out again from the kitchen. He ran a hand down his face in frustration when he didn't hear any movement on the second floor.
"Remus, let her be." He turned towards the dining table where Tonks sat, watching him with a sympathetic smile. "She's having a rough day."
"It's been a rough summer." Remus said, giving up and joining Tonks at the table. "Sirius and I thought that a summer away from everything and everyone would help her heal. She barely leaves her room, only speaks when spoken to, and she hasn't opened a single letter from Justin or her friends. She won't even speak to Sirius."
"She just lost someone she loves. She needs time."
"I know, it's just that she'll be leaving for Hogwarts soon and I'm concerned that she isn't ready. Not to mention we'll be joining the others at headquarters in a few days. She hasn't shed a single tear since Cedric's death. It's isn't healthy!"
"Have you tried talking to her about him?"
He nodded. "A few times. She always manages to change the subject. We're in dangerous times Tonks. She can't afford to let her guard down."
Tonks reached for his hand over the table. "She just needs more time. From what you've told me about Alex, she's strong."
"I know, but-" He cut himself off as he heard the creak of a door on the second floor followed by footstep in the stairway. He turned around just as Alex arrived on the last step leading to the kitchen.
"Hello." Alex said as she glanced between Remus and Tonks. "Am I interrupting something?" She looked pointedly at their hands.
Remus pulled his hand away from Tonks and stood up. "Of course not. Glad you finally made it down."
"I'm actually not hungry at the moment... I was thinking of going on a walk to get some air."
"But-"
"That's a wonderful idea." Tonks cut him off. Remus turned to Tonks in confusion as she shot him a disapproving look.
He sighed before turning back to Alex with a smile. "Fresh air will be good for you." He stepped towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Be careful."
"I always am." She replied, rolling her eyes. Remus couldn't help but smile as he caught a glimmer of the old Alex.
"I say it because I care." He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You're my only goddaughter. I want you to be safe."
"I know. I have my phone and I'll call if I need anything."
"I'll hold you to that." He said as he stepped away from her.
Tonks came up beside Remus. They both watched as Alex exited through the front door and made her way down the walkway. He leaned back against the table as she disappeared from their line of sight.
"She'll be okay." Tonks assured him. "She agreed to the lessons all summer and has been progressing wonderfully, so at least we can be assured that she can protect herself. We should really be focusing on the task at hand."
"I know..." He nodded before looking at Tonks. "What have you heard?"
"The opposing side's numbers are steadily growing but due to all the lies in the media, the Order has been struggling to recruit supporters. Dumbledore continues to insist that Harry be kept in the dark regarding the Order and Justin is still away, traveling with him."
Remus sighed. "I'm aware of Justin. Last I spoke to Sirius, he was frustrated that he hadn't heard from his son in weeks. Sirius doesn't oppose of his son joining the Order, he just wants to know his son is okay. At least with Alex, I give him updates."
"I assume Dumbledore doesn't?"
Remus shook his head. "No, unfortunately. Beyond the occasional letters Justin addresses to Sirius and Alex, we don't hear much of Justin. He doesn't mention anything they're up to in the letters."
"Sounds like Dumbledore. Secretive as ever." She smiled as she put a hand on his shoulder. "We don't have much to do the next couple of days? Why don't we head over to headquarters early. Maybe it will ease Sirius' concerns if he's at least in his daughters presence. And Alex can hardly ignore her father when he's right in front of her."
"That's true." He nodded, a smile coming over his face. "The Weasleys should be there soon as well. Will be good for Alex to be around her friends."
"For now let's pack up a few things and let Sirius know to prepare the bedrooms." Tonks suggested.
"I'll call Sirius."
~~~~~~~~~~
Remus glanced across the row, relaxing in his own seat as he spotted Alex fast asleep in her chair. After Alex had returned from her walk and they'd informed her they'd be leaving for headquarters, he and Tonks discussed their travel options while Alex packed. After much deliberation, they concluded that the safest way to travel would be by train. While Tonks got their tickets, he helped Alex finish packing and they assembled their luggage in the front of their cottage. A few hours later and the three were on a train, headed for London.
"We should be there soon." Tonks said beside him. "Did you tell Sirius to expect us tonight?"
"No, I tried to ring him but he didn't pick up the call. At least it'll be a welcome surprise."
"Does anyone in the Order know we're traveling tonight?" Tonks asked, looking to him with a serious expression.
"Just Alastor. I sent him an owl. I didn't want to risk sending one to Sirius." He replied seriously. "At least someone will know if things go south."
"Are you expecting things to go south?" Tonks asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm not sure yet." Remus glanced in Alex's direction, ensuring she's still fast asleep, before turning back to Tonks. He lowered his voice. "We always knew that Voldemort wanted Harry, but I think there's something we don't know. Justin told me that when they were in the graveyard, Voldemort wanted to kill Alex as well. I don't know what reason he would have to go after Alex. She has nothing to do with this."
"Maybe she does and we don't know it yet." Tonks suggested. "She and Justin were also there the night he 'died.'"
"Perhaps. For now l, Sirius and I want to keep Alex hidden. At least until she is back under the protection of Hogwarts."
"Does she know?"
Remus released a deep sigh before shaking his head regretfully. "Not yet. She's had her mind elsewhere... I didn't want to make her worry."
"I doubt Alex would ever be worried about herself." Tonks glanced in Alex's direction. "Your goddaughter really is brilliant."
"That she is." He smiled to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Remus? What are you doing here?" Alex heard her dad's voice from down the hall as Remus made his way into the kitchen. She stood in the hallway awkwardly, watching as Tonks continued down the hall after her godfather.
As they both disappeared into the kitchen, she let her eyes wander around the room. The dark, old wallpaper. The weird... old smell. She hadn't been down here yet, but it felt as familiar as the last time.
"I tried to ring you, but you never picked up." Remus replied. "How are you my friend?"
"Great now that you're here. Is Alex-"
"Yes, she's right behind- oh. Well she was right behind me." She heard Remus says.
"Oh, hello Tonks."
"She's in the hallway." Tonks said before she heard footsteps from the kitchen. Her eyes returned to the kitchen doorway as her dad appeared.
A warm smile dawned his face as he caught sight of her. He immediately made his way over to her, opening his arms. "My beautiful, Alex."
"Hey, dad." She replied as he approached her.
He pulled her into his arms for a hug, which she eventually reciprocated. She relaxed into the embrace, as a familiar feeling of warmth hit her. She shook it off as he pulled away from her, keeping his hands on her arm. He looked down at her, holding her in front of him as if she'd slip away. "What a wonderful surprise!"
"It was Lupin's idea." She shrugged.
Alex watched a strange look come over his face, but it quickly disappeared as another smile appeared on his face. "No matter who's idea it's was, it was a most welcome surprise." He dropped one of his arms as the other encompassed her shoulders and he led her down the hall. "Your friends, Fred and George should be here soon. I know it's unconventional, but I fixed two sleeping bags on the floor in your bedroom for them to sleep in."
"Can't I just be alone?" She mumbled as they arrived in this kitchen.
"The alternative is I let Hermione and Ginny-"
"No." She said sternly, interrupting him.
Sirius stopped suddenly, turning to his daughter in surprise.
"I'm going to my room. I'm tired." She said quickly as she pulled herself out of his arms and walked towards the bags she'd left on the opposite end of the hallways
"But you haven't even had supper-"
"I'm not really hungry." She replied, reaching for her bag and picking it up. She turned back to her dad. "I'll be in my room."
"Alex." He called after her, but she didn't respond as she started to make her way up the stairs. She didn't hear him move to follow him so she knew he was silently watching her. She assumed he wouldn't follow her, and that was all that mattered.
It wasn't until Alex closed the door to her room that she released an exhausted sigh. She felt the tears threatening to spill but she held them back by biting her lips.
Don't cry. If you starts, you won't stop.
She released a deep breath before walking over to her bed and pulling on the covers. She slipping under the comforter, letting the warmth of it engulf her. She forced her eyes closed, praying sleep would take her again. Sleep was the only time she didn't feel the pain. She even evaded dreams and nightmares with the large bottle of self-brewed Dreamless Sleep that she'd habited consumption since she left Hogwarts.
You can do this, Alex. She assured herself.
She opened her eyes, realizing that despite her wanting to sleep so badly, she was too well rested from the train ride.
This was going to be a long week.
I realized the last season dragged on a little too long so here's a new season!
