CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A CELEBRITY
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ALEX'S EYES SHIFTED AROUND as she walked beside Andromeda. Diagon Alley was more crowded than she remembered it being a year ago. She had been staying at the Tonks for a few weeks, they had contacted Dumbledore and told him the situation, he wanted to find her a more permanent place to stay. But it was hard since nobody knew the truth. They were good to her, they've been treating her like a real family should. She appreciated it.

She was overwhelmed with the rowdiness of Diagon Alley, which was filled with returning students and beaming first years. She was distracted until she saw a familiar face approaching her. She almost let out a sigh of relief as she saw Tianna.

She couldn't help but crack a smile as the girl hugged her excitedly. She pulled away and eyed Andromeda. "Is this your mum?"

"Oh um..." Alex wasn't sure what to say, she went to open her mouth again to speak but was interrupted.

"Yes," Andromeda said. "You must be Tianna. Alex has told me a lot about you."

Alex smiled slightly as Tianna beamed. "Really?" She exclaimed, nudging Alex. "Well, it's great to meet you!"

"You too."

Alex turned to Andromeda and gave her a small smile as a way of saying 'thank you'. "Go on darling," Andromeda said. "I have to pick up a few things."

Alex smiled at Andromeda as she walked off and then she turned to Tianna. "I heard Gilderoy Lockhart is here!" She squealed excitedly.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Who?" She asked.

That only made Tianna's eyes wide and mouth drop. "Gilderoy Lockhart! He wrote a whole bunch of famous books about adventures that he went on!" She explained she was very clearly excited about this. "Did you grow up under a rock or something?"

Alex shrugged and before she could open her mouth to say anything else, Tianna grabbed ahold of her wrist and pulled her all the way to Flourish and Blotts. As they stepped inside Alex looked around, there were so many people. She could barely move around without bumping into people. It was all set up for a book signing, so many books with the title 'Magical Me'.

Tianna jumped excitedly. "This is it, let's get closer!"

She pulled Alex forward and Alex felt herself hit someone's shoulders on accident. "I'm so sorry—" She cut herself off, realizing who it was. "Draco."

The familiar blonde turned around. "Alex." He whispered under his breath. He seemed flustered, unable to put together a coherent sentence.

Alex was about to say something but Tianna appeared beside her. "Come on Allie! Just found the Weasleys, there with Harry and Hermione."

Alex gave Draco one last glance before squeezing through people to meet up with the Weasleys.

"Hello!" Tianna greeted, her usual cheerful persona still intact.

Ron turned to face them. "Hello." He waved softly, cracking a small smile.

Alex returned the smile just as Lockhart walked out. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Gilderoy Lockhart!" A man introduced him.

He had blonde hair, more of a caramel color with blue eyes.

"Oh, here he is!" Molly Weasley exclaimed and people started clapping. Alex followed the others as she clapped softly. He nodded, acknowledging the people around him.

"Mum fancies him," Ron said to them, grinning.

Molly turned around. "Shh." She hissed, pushing Ron slightly away from her.

Some guy pushed him way through the front. "This is for the daily prophet! Excuse me!" He said, raising his camera and facing it toward Lockhart. Just then Lockhart started staring in their direction.

"It can't be." Alex could hear him mumble. "Harry Potter!" The guy from the Daily Prophet pulled Harry forward and beside Lockhart. Harry looked awkward but nonetheless posed for a picture. "Big smile Harry, this is going on the front page. Folks what an extraordinary moment this is! When young Harry Potter stepped in here this morning to buy an autobiography signed by me, which is coincidentally celebrating its 27th week on the daily prophet bestseller list."

People bursted into claps and Alex spotted Ron rolling his eyes. "Bloody hell." He mumbled.

Lockhart continued. "He had no idea that he would in fact be leaving with my entire collected works, free of charge!"

People clapped again as the 'kind' gesture. Harry walked back to join them. "I'll get those signed for you Harry." Mrs. Weasley said. "The rest of you out."

The Weasleys, followed by Harry and Hermione turned to leave. Tianna was in line to get her book signed.

Her blue eyes shifted around the room, spotting her another familiar face. But this time she was relieved to see them.

She approached the brunette boy. "Neville!" She said excitedly, the boy was with his grandmother. Both of them turned when Alex spoke. "Hey."

Neville smiled. "Oh hey." He said, she side-hugged him and looked up at his grandmother. "Gran, this is Alex, Alex this is my grandmother."

He signaled between the two and Alex put her hand out and his grandmother shook her head. "My name is Augusta, it's very nice to meet you."

"You too."

She got a curious look on her face. "Have I met you before? You look familiar."

Alex could feel the blood rush out of her face but she shook her head. "I don't think so."

She nodded, not seeming to believe it. "I see."

Neville cleared his throat. "Well, Alex— how was your summer?" He asked, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

"It was good." She lied. "Yours?"

He nodded. "Same here." His grandmother put a hand on his shoulder which caused Neville to turn to her.

"We better get going, it was nice meeting you, Alex." Neville and his grandmother walked off.

She watched them carefully before exiting Flourish and Blotts. She spotted the Weasleys with Hermione and Harry. Alex went to walk toward them but somebody grabbed ahold of her wrist and roughly pulled her into an alleyway.

She was about to scream but a hand slipped over her mouth. "Don't scream or I'll take you home and you'll never see the light of the day again." The person threatened.

The person she knew instantly who it was. It made her feel like her heart had dropped into her stomach. She squirmed a bit before finally they let her go.

"Uncle Lucius," Alex whispered, staring up at him.

"Where the hell have you been girl?" He snapped, it was clear he was upset.

Alex had a sour look on her face. "Stop acting like you care. You don't care about me, you never have!" She snapped, Lucius looked taken aback. She kept her voice low enough so no one would overhear "You just wanna use me to get closer to my father."

"Do not disrespect me like that." He said, slapping her across the face. Alex's hand flew up to where Lucius had made contact with her face. Her eyes widened slightly but she wouldn't dare cry in front of them. "I gave you a roof over your head, food, how dare you."

Alex stared up at him. "When's my birthday?" She asked.

"What?"

"When is my birthday?" She repeated. He fumbled over his words, unable to answer the question. Alex nodded, "That's what I thought." She said as she started to walk away, spotting Draco who had watched the whole thing go down.

He approached Lucius and she could overhear him. "It's February 19th," Draco said.

Lucius grunted. "Go find your mother." He ordered.

Alex sighed deeply and rejoined her friends. "Hey." She said as she got there.

Ron turned to face her a younger redhead nudged him. "Oh right!" He exclaimed. "Alex this is my younger sister, Ginny, Ginny this is my friend Alex."

Ginny smiled widely. "Hello!" She said excitedly.

Alex couldn't help but smile. "Hi." She greeted as she looked around the group. She was overwhelmed by the amount of people in Diagon Alley on this particular day. First years hustling to get their supplies, excited for their first year; other students trying to cram in any last supplies they need, and then everyone else just here to see Gilderoy Lockhart.

Ron's dad, Arthur Weasley, chuckled. "Alex you blend right in with us." He said.

Alex glanced down at her red hair, which had more of a brown tint compared to the Weasley's, but she just nodded.

authors note

okay, finally was able to get an
update out! yay!! i hope you
enjoyed :))