Part of the Family (Alexandra)

[aubree]

It was finally Christmas Day and Aubree's parents were coming home. They had been on vacation since Alex and Aubree had come home from Hogwarts. Months before, Aubree had found Alex in need of a home and had offered Alex to come live with the Montogue. Alex had accepted the offer and it all started at that moment. Aubree was eager to see her parents. She was also afraid of what they would think of Alex. She was a worth pure-blood, but you could never tell with the Montogues. They were mean, but loving at the same time. Aubree also didn't know how her sister Darmelle would react to Alex. Darmelle seemed to be the family favorite and Aubree and Darmelle had never had the closest of relationships. They actually were enemies at times, but all of that was hopefully in the past. Darmelle would be attending Hogwarts next year and Aubree didn't want their relationship to be a bad one at school. Well, she really didn't want to see her at all at school. However, that would be months later and now it was Christmas.

Aubree woke up like she normally did on her level of the house. The Montogue household was different that the normal household. They all had their separate floors and they usually stuck to them. The first floor was like a normal house full of the normal rooms. After that, the rest of the floors had every normal room plus a few more fitting to each person's personalities. Alex was staying in Aubree's guest room. She didn't really know what it looked like since the house elf had changed it to how Alex wanted it and Aubree hadn't been there since. She of course saw Alex frequently, but it's not like they were yet the best of friends. Alex didn't talk much which was something Aubree wasn't used to. Aubree hadn't avoided her at all, but it didn't really matter. Aubree sat up from her large, plush bed. Her room was enormous like the others. It was a very light shade of mint green with huge bay windows lighting the room. Her bed was in the center with dark green and light blue sheets. She stood up and then start to dress for the Festive Day. She was glad her parents were coming home withing hours, but nervous as well.

Aubree got dressed into her creme silk skirt, green sweater, and black heels. Her blond hair graced her back like it usually did. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she applied her light creme shades of make-up that made her glow. She sat in her kitchen eating a muffin made by her house elf, Carmie. "Ah, much too warm!" She said harshly. Carmie fetched a colder one and Aubree ate happily. She wasn't overly mean to Carmie since she usually did a fair job. She had to be the best house elf ever even when it seemed there was no such thing. Aubree took a sip of her tea reading the Daily Profit. Her parents wouldn't bee home for hours so opening presents wouldn't begin until the early afternoon which she had told Alex. There wasn't really anything to be overly excited about yet. So, she continued eating waiting for Alex.

[alexandra]

Life was strange now that Alexandra had moved in with the Montogues. She was used to the two room apartment that she had lived in with her cousin, Angelique. To have her own room as large as the one that Aubree let her stay in was... even more mind boggling. And the thing that added to her astonishment was what the house elves did for her. The room was perfect! It looked exactly as she had wanted, her dream room. The four poster bed (close to that of Hogwarts' beds) had dark green large, over-stuffed feather pillows with small silver stars sewn onto them, silver silk sheets that shimmered in the light, and a large dark green comforter with silver moons and small silver twinkling stars sewn in. The curtains that hung around the four poster bed, was dark green velvet with silver shimmering stripes. The carpet was another shade of dark green, the walls were black and the ceiling dark blue/black with white stars that looked just like the night sky. The light that hung from the ceiling was shaped like the moon and shown a black light about the room. Her black book shelf, that she shipped over to the house with her other things, was full of her favorite vampire books. Her trunk was set against the other wall, next to her desk, which matched her book shelf. Another black light sat on the desk, over looking her wizard notebooks and poems that she had written. Alexandra loved her room and was very happy to be there.

She awoke with a start. Her eyes ajusting to the darkness of the room. Though it was day time, her dark curtains that hung over the windows kept most of the sunlight out, which she perfered. (Her slight obsession with Vampirism seemed to affect how she acted as well) Alexandra blinked a few times, wondering why she had awoken so suddenly. She sat there, a bit confused, wiping her eyes and pushing her chin length dark brown hair from her darker brown, almost black eyes. Then it hit her as she sit there confused. Aubree's parents were coming home today! She threw off her comforter and slipped on her black, fuzzy slippers and old black robe that her cousin had given her. She ran from her room and into Aubree's kitchen, where she hoped Aubree was.

The house was huge! Alexandra was astounded by it's size. She worried that if Aubree wasn't in the kitchen, then she would never find her, but as she entered the kitchen area of the fourth floor, Alexandra was happy to see Aubree sitting there, eating a muffin. She smiled slightly and walked over, feeling vulnerable with her robe, slippers, no make-up and messy hair. She sat down across from Aubree and ordered a poppyseed muffin from the house elf. She didn't smile at it in thank you or anything, just started eating the deliciously warm muffin. It wasn't that Alexandra wasn't grateful, it was that she didn't feel she should have to show her appreciation to a stupid house elf! She smiled at Aubree after her second bite of her muffin.

"So... good morning!" she said quietly.

[aubree]

"Morning." She said at first not bothering to look up. Aubree was divulged in the article about all the attacks she was reading. She laughed at one part of it when it said that Death Eaters were just bewitched objects since they were seldom ever seen. "Idiots." She laughed thinking about how stupid they had to be. She then looked up at Alexandra who wasn't dressed yet. It really didn't matter since Aubree's parents would take awhile before coming home. Aubree noticed that Alexandra was now eating too and they continued their breakfast. They house had been mainly silent since they had come home. It had been quite refreshing actually. Two teenage girls had the house to themselves, of course it's not like they did anything remotely bad.

After finishing her breakfast, Aubree looked up at Alexandra. Panic suddenly set in. Her parents were coming home! Not just Alex, but Aubree would also be judged. She sat her paper aside looking at her hard. "Ok, well I might need to tell you some stuff about my family. My parents you know about, but Darmelle is a different story." She said sort of in a friendly tone. "She's sort of a...." Aubree paused trying to find the words to use. "Oh, she's a fashion obsessed mugle wanna be!" She nearly screamed. How did her parents seem to love Darmelle more? She was a nightmare and acted like a snotty muggle child. She was not a proper young Slytherin, that was for sure, but they preferred her. Aubree then calmed herself. "Oh, you just have to get used to her. She's like a spy for my parents or something so watch your words with her." She said. Aubree calmed herself thinking about how much she truly despised her sister.

Aubree stood up. "You might want to get dressed." she said softly. "Come on now I'm in hyper speed." She said making a small joke walking towards Alex's room. "Well, I don't particularly want to invade your privacy, but you have to put something on they would like. Something like this." She said pointing to her outfit. "Maybe not my taste, but it's parents approved." She said. Aubree walked into Alex's room. She moved into the black walls not even thinking about how cool and dark the room was. She looked through her clothes. "Well what would you usually wear around your parents or better yet, what would they want you to wear?" She asked. Aubree talked before Alex could say a thing. "Well, wear that. I'll be in the hall waiting for you when you find something. If not, the house-elf can make you something." She said walking outside.

[alexandra]

Alexandra felt slightly overwhelmed as Aubree instantly went from 'Good Morning' to 'What are you going to wear?'. Alexandra remained silent as Aubree explained her sister and all she could do was nod and shrug every now and then, not because she wasn't listening or interested... oh yes she was listening, maybe more intently than she had in her whole life, and oh yes she was most interested! She needed all the help she could get and she was definitely thankful that Aubree was there to help. Then Aubree stood, surprising Alexandra. She started for her room and Alexandra followed on quick silent feet. Every question Aubree asked, Alexandra opened her mouth to answer, but then shut it once again as Aubree moved on. After the third time of this, Alexandra almost laughed. Aubree was a fun person to hang around...

As the two entered Alexandra's room, Aubree investigated her wardrobe and held up a black shimmering velvet knee length skirt and a white off-the-shoulder cotton long-sleeved shirt, a green and silver snake woven around the neck and down the right sleeve. Alexandra loved the shirt, despite it's niceness. She took hold of the clothes and nodded as Aubree left the room. She began to undress, but jumped in surprise as she noticed the house elf had followed them inside. She glared and shooed the creature away. After she had put on the skirt and shirt, she searched the closet for a pair of shoes and then raided her sock drawer, looking for some stockings or panty-hose. She found a pair of knee high black socks with green and silver zigzags on it. She smiled, knowing it would look awesome with her nice black shoes. After dressing herself, she looked in the mirror. It was perfect and very her, very Slytherin. She smiled, but then frowned as she thought about what to do with her hair.

Picking up her wand, she experimented with a few different lengths and types of hairstyles until she decided with the same hair style she had for Fiona's birthday party. Fake extensions made her hair long and wavy. Then up in a messy bun, a few thin braids falling from the bun and falling down her bare shoulders. She smiled again, waving her wand once more, applying her make-up nice and light, greens and silvers and black eyeliner for each eye, but not too much, nice and thin. Her lipstick was a bold red, clear lip gloss making her lips shine. She felt proud when everything was done and smiled, exiting her room. The light change, from the dark black lights to the hall lights hurt a bit, but Alexandra's eyes adjusted and she looked at Aubree, her eyes seeking approval.

"Well? Whattaya think?" She asked, her eyes pleading. She spread her arms and twirled a bit for show. She blushed when she came to face Aubree once again, embarrassing herself. She giggled, as she had never done before, and waited for Aubree's assessment.

[aubree]

Aubree waited for Alexandra to come out. The house elves scurried around her and one was shooed out of Alex's room. She smiled as Aubree shooed the same elf further down the hall. The house was still silent as the house elves didn't make a sound for the girls to hear. Aubree tapped her foot waiting for Alex. She smiled as she entered. Maybe not something Aubree herself would wear, but it was good for the Montogues. They personally liked Aubree in light shades just because of her long blond hair, but it could be a different story for Alex. She of course had short dark hair and dark tones looked good on her. "Good enough." She managed a smile. Alex twirled and Aubree laughed. "I think they will love you." She said sincerely.

Aubree looked at the dainty silver watch on her wrist. The times was flickering around the watch and changing different shades of green. Well, we have a little while longer. She admired Alex's hair. Aubree suddenly had an idea. She pulled her wand from her pocket. "So, watcha think?" She asked laughing while pointing he wand at her hair making it a short blond bob. "Actually I think they will had it." She smiled again. Aubree then changed it back to the way in normally was, but maybe an inch shorter or so. She smiled at it and then looked at Alex. "So, you nervous?" She asked in a friendly tone.

(short, sorry)

[alexandra]

Alexandra's heart sunk when Aubree said "Good enough". That was it? But then her heart soared when Aubree said that her parents would love her. She smiled, feeling happy for the first time in years. Aubree experimented with her own hair, making Alexandra laugh a bit. Alexandra liked Aubree's hair, it was blond and long and very pretty, she liked that. It was when the blond asked, seriously, if Alexandra was nervous. She remained silent a few more moments, feeling a bit on the spot. Of course she was nervous! She was meeting the people who took her in, who gave her such a wonderful room. She gulped, leaning against the wall, her skirt feeling cool against her bare thighs.

"Uhh," she mumbled, not knowing what to say. "I, uh, yes." She felt confused. She was nervous, yet excited. "I mean... I suppose I'm more anxious than nervous..." she bit her lip and looked at Aubree, wondering what the blond was thinking.

[aubree]

Aubree nodded. "Well, truthfully, you should be." Yes, it may seem a bit cruel to a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, but ti was true. Alex was coming into a family that was not her own. She was taking on a new life and not an easy one. The Montogues were a well known Slytherin family and a pure one at that. Joining them was like joining the royal family in Wizard World. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world and Aubree didn't know if she could do so herself. Alex seemed so much stronger in Aubree in ways. Of course Aubree was strong and could do whatever she pleased. But, that didn't make her believe that sometimes. Aubree laughed again thinking of what she had just done to her hair and then looked serious again. "Look, I wouldn't have offered you into the family if I didn't think you could handle it. I do." She said sensearly. Aubree wasn't a light person and if she for one second thought Alex couldn't handle it, the words would never have left her mouth.

Aubree looked at her watch again as it seemed time has passed fast. "Oh, they will be here soon." She said excitely. "Follow me." Aubree led them down the hall to the magical elevator. She waited for Alex to step into it before lightly closing the gate. "Down." She summoned with her voice as it was meant to do so. Seconds later, they were in the main level of the house. Aubree really had kept to her floor lately without coming down.She nodded sternly at the house elves knowing her parents would be inside within seconds. The quickly fled to assigned spots and looked at Aubree. She tugged at her clothes making sure they were fine. Aubree then turned to Alex. "Follow my lead." She said to Alex. Aubree stared plainly at the door waiting for something to happen. She soon heard people newly apparted outside and eyed the handle as it opened.

Within seconds, three bodies were in the door. Her mother, Victoria stood tall like a model. Her Aubree like hair shown in the lightling of the seemingly light house. Her father, Ricardo, was handsome with light brown hair with a clean face. Neither Aubree and Darmelle had inherited his looks. It was rumored that the family had a spell cast on the ladies making them look almost all alike. After years of consideration, Aubree concluded it true as the were almost identical. Darmelle was shorter than Aubree and had a mug scowl on her face. She had curls in her hair that Aubree didn't really like. Darmelle didn't want to look like a Montogue, but she should face the facts that she was. Aubree nodded the regular nod and looked at her parents. "Mother, father." I have missed you." She said certainly. Aubree then looked at Alex. "This is Alexandra Ricci." She said. They look almost nicely at her and then walked closer. "Alexandra, welcome to our house." Ricardo said coolly. "How have you been liking you stay?" Victoria chimed in. Darmelle stood silently in the corner and Aubree scowled at her.

[alexandra]

Alexandra let Aubree rush her into the elevator. She marveled silently at the magical thing. It followed Aubree's command to descend and soon Alexandra was being overwhelmed once again by Aubree's attitude. She seemed to be getting ready for a job interview or a fancy dinner with the Prime Minister. Alexandra checked her own outfit and then nodded when Aubree told her to 'follow her lead'. She took a deep breath and watched with growing apprehension as the door opened. She gulped. The Montogues were beautiful people. Aubree's mother was supermodel worthy and so was the younger sister. She suddenly wished she was blond haired and beautiful like her new family. The father seemed out of place, however. His features were rare in Aubree and Darmelle, but they were there. Alexandra courtesied as she had been taught in her old home. (Her mother had made her curtsy like so whenever she was in her family's presence) Aubree acknowledged her parents, barely looking at her sister and introduced Alexandra.

She tensed, noticeably, having had learned to hid it. The Montogues were... graceful. They regarded Alexandra with nothing less than formality and composure. Alexandra, feeling a lot less nervous, mirrored their formalities. She nodded when they approached her and asked her if her stay was to her liking. She paused a moment, a polite smile on her lips.

"I have indeed enjoyed my stay here," she said with an air of royalty, but knew it was not. "Aubree has been very generous and so have you all. I am much grateful for you letting me stay here. It is, truly, an honor." Alexandra hoped her polite and formal greeting had impressed Aubree. She wanted to be very, very clear with her new roommate that she was NOT a cripple, or little child. Though Aubree had taken her in, she was not in anyway weak. She was strong enough to live on her own for weeks until her cousin had taken her in by the age of 13. She was strong enough to endure years of abuse from her parents and sister. She was even strong enough to cope with the fact that her cousin, the only person Alexandra had ever loved or trusted, had abandoned her...

Alexandra smiled once again at the Montogues and took her place by being silent as she waited for their response or Aubree's reaction. She averted her eyes to the ground in respect and grasped her hands in front of her. Her back was straight and her shoulders were back. It was not a disgraceful pose, no. It was of utmost respect and showed that she would be of no nuisance in this home.

[aubree]

Aubree smiled softly at Alexandra's greeting. It was appropriate for the Montogues. Aubree knew Alex would be a good member of the family. However, that didn't really matter. Alex had to know she would be and the Montogues had to accept her. If that didn't happen, then Alex wouldn't last a second in the family. Aubree then glanced slightly at Darmelle. She stood solemn in the corner not saying a word. Her hair was in curls as she liked to have done every now and then, much to Aubree's dislike. Darmelle seemed the family favorite sometimes, but Aubree saw her for who she really was. She was a fashion obsessed maniac and Darmelle knew it. She really knew she wasn't as strong as Aubree. That made Darmelle hate Aubree that much more.

Victoria glanced normally at Alex. She was a Ricci which was a respected Slytherin family. She came from a good background and Aubree seemed to like her. Victoria had taken all of that into consideration before agreeing to let the girl stay at their house. She had never heard of a proper family doing such a thing before, but there was a first time for everything. The Montogues could be the trendsetters of the whole thing which did excite Victoria a bit. she adored making things new and brilliant. Victoria never passed up an opportunity to make something well known and she loved to do just that. Darmelle often helped her with her little projects. They loved to make new little fashions and things for witches. Well, at least proper witches that could handle such things. Alexandra could be her little project and that really made Victoria happy. She knew however that Aubree wouldn't approve as always.

Ricardo didn't say a thing as usual. He didn't have much use to words and only used them around people he could trust. Unlike Victoria, Ricardo had faith in Aurbee that she herself didn't know about. Aubree was strong as Darmelle was quite the opposite. She would make a good Death Eater one day and Ricardo was sure of that. He looked a bit nicely at Alex still not saying a thing. She too was strong, that was apparent. He had heard the story of her life before. The rebelling against her parents was wrong, but she had been strong enough to do it. That showed something that Ricardo was interested in. He then nodded at Victoria, Alex, and Aubree as to say goodbye before going to his study. He had work to do and guests were not his top priority. He xited quietly and Aubree looked at her mother. "He barely talks." Victoria said loudly looking at Alex. "Well, I'm sorry to go, but I have things to do before dinner. See you both then." She said and then Victoria left the room.

Aubree looked at both her parents leave. It was expected of course. They barely talked to her and Aubree had excepted that fact by now. They had better things to do and that was that. Suddenly, Aubree realized that Darmelle was still in the corner she looked at her meanly. They were two very different people and Aubree was sure they would never be friends. "Darmelle." She said coldly. "Aubree." She answered perhaps more coldly than Aubree. Darmelle then walked over to Aubree. She would show her older sister she was just as strong as her. "So, who is this extra you brought home?" Darmelle asked. "Even you can do better than that." Aubree had an urge to take out her wand and cast a spell making Darmelle's face turn purple. But, knowing that was wrong. Aubree silently turned to Alex. She knew Alex could fight her own battles. Aubree gave her a looking letting Alex know to let Darmelle have it.